We  to  those  who  study  the  “South  America”  that 

after  the  class  has  completed  the  texhbook,  a lesson  or  two 
lie  devoted  to  this  pamphlet  called  “Southern  Baptist  Mis- 
sions in  South  America.”  In  this  way  the  class  will  get  a 
general  view  of  the  situation  in  South  America  and  a par- 
ticular view  of  our  ow’n  work  in  this  field.  Use  the  same 
method  of  study  that  was  used  in  the  study  of  the  text-book. 

Please  Note. — The  statistics  given  in  this  pamphlet  are 
out  of  date,  being  for  the  year  1910.  AVe  send  1912  statistics 
herewith. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Columbia  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/southernbaptistmOOport 


Baptist 


Missions 


in 


South 


tnerica 


—K,"..  ■ .-..rTt: 


SOUTFIERN 

BAPTIST 

MISSIONS 

IN 

SOUTH 

AMERICA 

S.  J.  Porter 

Foreign  Mission  Board 
Southern  Baptist  Con^vention 
'Bjchinond , Virginia 

19  10 

Our  Missionaries 

BRAZIL. 


Rio  de  Janeiro  (Caixa  352). — 'W.  E.  Entzminger,  Mrs. 
Entzminger;  O.  P.  Maddox,  Mrs.  Maddox;  J.  W.  Shepard, 
Mrs.  Shepard;  A.  B.  Langston,  Airs.  Langston. 

Santo  Antonio  de  Padua. — D.  F.  Crcsland,  Airs.  Crosland. 
Nova  Friburgo. — A.  B.  Christie,  Airs.  Christie;  W.  H. 
Cannada,  ATrs.  Cannada. 

Victoria. — L.  M.  Reno,  Airs.  Reno. 

Sao  Paulo. — W.  B.  Bagby,  Airs.  Bagby;  J.  J.  Taylor, 
Mrs.  Taylor;  F.  M.  Edwards;  Aliss  Annie  Thomas;  A.  B. 
Deter,  Mrs.  Deter. 

Santos. — A.  L.  Dunstan,  Airs.  Dnnstan. 

Bahia. — Z.  C,  Taylor,  Airs.  Taylor;  S.  L.  Ginsburg,  Airs. 
Ginsburg;  C.  F.  Stapp,  Airs.  Stapp. 

Santa  Ritta. — E.  A.  Jackson,  Airs.  Jackson. 
Pernambuco. — H.  H.  Aluirhead,  Airs.  Aliiirhead;  Aliss 
Genevieve  Voorheis;  D.  L.  Hamilton,  Airs.  Hamilton. 
Maceio. — R.  E.  Pettigrew,  Airs.  Pettigrew. 

Maranhao. — E.  A.  Nelson,  Airs.  Nelson. 

ARGENTINA. 

Buenos  Aires,  Casilla  del  Correo,  1571. — S.  AI.  Sowell, 
Airs.  Sowell;  Thomas  Spight,  Airs.  Spight;  J.  AI.  Justice, 
Airs.  Justice;  Robert  Logan,  Airs.  Logan. 

Rosario  de  Santa  Fe,  Casilla  230. — J.  L.  Hart,  Airs. 
Hart;  J.  C.  Quarles,  Airs.  Quarles. 

Santa  Fe,  San  Louis  411. — F.  J.  Fowler,  Airs.  Fowler. 


BRAZIL. 

I. 

BEGINNINGS. 

The  First  Effort.  As  early  as  1859,  the  Foreign  Mis- 
sion Board  attempted  a work  in  Rio  de  Janeiro  under 
Mr.  T.  J.  Bowen,  founder  of  our  Yoruban  Mission  in 
Africa;  but  his  health  having  been  seriously  impaired  by 
the  prolonged  service  in  West  Africa,  Mr.  Bowen  found 
the  climate  of  Brazil  not  less  trying,  and,  in  1861,  re- 
turned to  the  United  States.  On  this  account  and  be- 
cause of  obstacles  which  scarcely  could  be  overcome  at 
that  time,  the  mission  was  abandoned. 

An  American  Colony  and  a Baptist  Church.  At  the 
close  of  the  Civil  War,  a number  of  Americans  emi- 
grated from  the  Southern  States  to  Brazil,  with  the  view 
of  making  their  permanent  home  in  that  land.  Among 
these  colonists  were  a number  of  Baptists  who,  under 
the  leadership  of  Mr.  E.  H.  Quillen,  organized  the  first 
Baptist  church  of  Brazil,  with  thirty  m.embers.  at  Santa 
Barbara,  in  the  State  of  Sao  Paulo. 

In  1879  a request  was  presented  to  the  Foreign  Mis- 
sion Board  from  this  church  in  Santa  Barbara,  asking 
to  be  received  by  the  Board  as  an  independent  mission, 
and  agreeing  to  foster  every  effort  that  might  be  made 
for  the  evangelization  of  Brazil;  also  the  Board  was 
a-^ked  to  conskler  Brazil  as  a mission  field,  and  to  send 
missionaries  there  as  early  as  it  was  deemed  advisable 
to  do  so.  In  addition  to  his  pastoral  work,  IMr.  Quil- 
len offered  to  accept  an  appointment  as  missionary  to 
the  Brazilians.  The  Board  accepted  Mr.  Quillen’s 
preposition,  and  he  was  appointed. 


4 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  .MISSIONS  IN  SOI  TII  AMERICA. 


In  November,  1879,  a second  church  was  organized 
by  twelve  members'  from  the  church  at  Santa  Barbara. 

A Missionary  Resolution.  About  this  time  General 
A.  T.  Hawthorne,  who  had  spent  a number  of  years  in 
Brazil,  but  had  returned  to  Texas,  expressed  deep  in- 
terest in  giving  the  gospel  to  Brazil.  At  the  meeting 
of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention,  at.  Lexington,  Ky., 
in  1880,  he  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was 
ado])ted  liy  the  Convention;  “Resolved,  That  the  Board 
of  Foreign  Mi- sions  be  authorized,  if  they  deem  it  prac- 
ticable, to  appoint  additional  missionaries  for  the  Mmrk 
in  Brazil.’’  Pursuant  with  this  resolution,  Mr.  and  IMrs. 
W.  B.  Bagby,  of  Texas,  were  appointed  in  January,  1881, 
and  in  the  same  month  sailed  for  their  future  home. 

Arrival  of  the  Young  Missionaries.  Arriving  in  Santa 
Barbara.  Mr.  Bagby  reported  the  two  churches  very  \veak. 
Some  discouraging  features  M^ere  in  the  outlook,  but 
there  was  also  much  to  encourage.  The  Brazilians 
seemed  Mulling  to  hear  the  gospel,  but  a year  Mmuld  be 
needful  to  acquire  a correct  knoMdedge  of  the  language. 
MeanM^hile  there  Mmuld  be  opportunities  to  preach  to 
the  Americans  mJio  needed  it  sorely.  He  urged  the  send- 
ing out  of  other  missionaries  at  once,  as  it  Mmu’d  bo 
advantageous  to  commence  the  Mmrk  Muth  as  large  a 
force  as  possible. 

Tn  May,  Mr.  Bagby  accepted  the  iiastorate  of  both  the 
Santa  Barbara  churches  and.  in  June,  he  held  a pro- 
tracted meeting  vdiich  resulted  in  a gracious  revival 
and  the  baptism  of  six  converts.  Near  the  close  of  the 
year  he  began  preaching  in  Portuguese  to  the  Brazilians. 

On  the  fourth  of  IMaTch,  1882.  i\Ir.  and  iMrs.  Z.  C. 
'Taylor,  of  Texas,  arrived  in  Rio  de  Janeiro,  and  were 
met  by  IMr.  Bagby.  On  the  ninth  of  the  same  mo  ith 
they  reached  Campinas,  in  the  State  of  Sao  Paulo. 
In  this  city  our  four  young  missionaries  made  tleir 
home  and  studied  the  language. 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 


5 


Changing  Base.  After  an  extended  survey  of  the  en- 
tire field,  Messrs.  Bagby  and  Taylor  decided  to  change 
the  base  of  operations,  and  settled  in  Bahia.  Before 
leaving  Santa  Barbara,  Mr.  Bagby  held  another  pro- 
tracted meeting  and  the  church  enjoyed  a season  of 
revival.  Five  were  baptized  and  the  church  was  greatly 
strengthened.  Upon  the  removal  of  the  missionaries  to 
Bahia,  the  Board  made  no  provision  for  the  churches  at 
Santa  Barbara,  ’-.oping  that  they  might  become  able  to 
take  care  of  ti-emselves. 

Getting  a Start.  Amving  in  Bahia,  the  missionaries 
rented  a large  building  in  the  central  part  of  the  city, 
which  served  both  as  home  and  church,  the  preaching 
hall  accommodating  about  200  persons.  On  the  fifteenth 
of  October,  1882,  the  missionaries  organized  themselves 
into  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Bahia,  and  were  ready 
to  enter  upon  aggressive  work. 

Early  in  January,  they  began  public  services  in  the 
hall,  and,  although  the  priests  denounced  them  publicly 
and  issued  warning  against  attending  the  services,  the 
people  continued  to  come.  Many  leaflets  and  tracts  were 
distributed,  and  the  influence  of  the  missionaries  stead- 
ily increased. 

By  the  end  of  1883,  twenty  had  been  baptized,  and 
the  little  church  had  grown  into  a strong  body  of  twenty- 
five.  All  of  the  men  of  the  church  prayed  in  public  and 
were  zealous  in  inducing  friends  to  attend  the  services. 
They  displayed  great  heroism  in  times  of  persecution 
and  peril,  and  the  success  of  the  missionaries  was  such 
that  it  could  not  fail  to  arouse  antagonism.  Some  sol- 
diers were  imprisoned  for  attending  the  worship.  Mr. 
Bagby  was  knocked  down  while  preaching,  and  on  an- 
other occasion  he  and  his  wife  were  arrested  as'  he  was 
about  to  administer  the  ordinance  of  baptism.  The  place 
where  Mr.  Taylor  was  accustomed  to  preach  was  stoned, 
and  the  city  officials  joined  the  mob  in  deriding  the  new 


6 SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 

religion.  Church  members  were  turned  out  of  their  homes 
and  dismissed  from  business  because  they  preferred  to 
obey  God  rather  than  men.  As  time  advanced,  the  atti- 
tude of  the  people  changed,  and  the  prejudice  seemed  to 
die  out.  The  missionaries  attributed  this  change  to  the 
distribution  of  so  many  Bibles  and  tracts.  A man  on 
the  streets  of  Bahia  was  heard  to  remark  that  he  had 
never  heard  before  so  much  talk  about  the  Bible  and 
Teligion.  A government  official  said  publicly,  “These 
men  who  came  from  the  United  States  are  teaching  us 
the  true  religion  of  Jesus  Christ.  They  do  not 

seek  our  money  as  the  priests  do,  but  preach  free  sal 

vation  through  Jesus  Christ.  This  is  the  true  church.” 

II. 

THE  FIELDS. 

This  brief  review  of  the  early  stages  of  our  mission 
work  in  Brazil  prepares  us  to  consider  sepavately  the 
different  fields.  For  convenience  in  this  discussion  these 
will  be  divided  into  three:  The  South  Coast  Field,  The 
East  Coast  Field  and  The  Amazon  Valley. 

In  the  South  Coast  Field  we  will  include  all  our 

churches  and  stations  in  the  states  of  Rio  de  Janeiro, 
Espirito  Santo  and  Sao  Faulo,  with  some  reference  to 
the  state  of  Minas  Geraes.  By  the  East  Coast  Field,  we 
mean  the  states  of  Bahia  and  Pernambuco,  and  the  ad- 
joining states  of  Sergipe,  Alagoas,  Parahiba,  Piauhy  and 
Goyaz.  In  the  Amazon  Valley  is  included  all  our  work 
between  Cape  St.  Roque  and  the  mouth  of  the  Amazon, 
thence  following  the  Amazon  to  its  head-waters  in  the 
Andes  IMountains. 

I.  THE  SOUTH  COAST  FIELD. 

As  soon  as  the  mission  at  Bahia  was  well  established, 


SOUTHEEN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 


7 


the  hope  was  entertained  of  opening  work  in  Rio  de  Janei- 
ro. the  capital  of  the  country,  and  a center  as  accessible  to 
all  the  southern  portion  of  Brazil  as  Bahia  was  to  the 
eastern  and  northern,  and  a point 
from  which  the  missionaries  could 
look  after  the  churches  at  Santa 
Barbara.  This  hope  was  realized 
in  July,  1884,  when,  leaving  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Taylor  in  Bahia,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Bagby  removed  to  Rio  de  Ja- 
neiro. 

In  our  study  of  the  South  Coast 
Field,  we  will  give  attention  to 
four  principal  cities:  Rio  de  Janei- 
ro, Campos,  Victoria  and  Sao 
Paulo.  Each  of  these  cities,  with 
its  outlying  districts,  will  be  desig- 
nated as  a mission. 

1.  The  Rio  de  Janeiro  Mission.  Arriving  in  Rio,  Mr. 
Bagby  secured  a large,  well  located  hall  and  began 
preaching  regularly.  The  gospel  was  listened  to  with 
attention,  and  the  work  was  encouraging.  On  the  twenty- 
fourth  of  August,  a church  of  four  members  was  organ- 
ized, and  soon  thereafter  this  small  body  was  strengthened 
by  the  addition  of  a lady  from  Scotland,  and  several 
English  people.  In  1886  the  church  numbered  eighteen 
members.  In  1885,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  D.  Daniel  and  Miss 
Mina  Everett  joined  the  mission  force.  Mr.  E.  H.  Soper 
and  wife,  from  England,  were,  for  a time,  also  members 
of  the  Mission.  In  1887,  Miss  Maggie  Rice,  of  St.  Joseph, 
IVIo.,  came  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bagby  on  their  return  from 
their  first  vacation  in  the  home  land.  This  consecrated 
young  missionary  had  just  acquired  the  language,  and 
began  laboring  most  acceptably,  when  she  was  smitten 
with  yellow  fever  and  died.  Her  death  filled  the  Mission 
with  mourning,  and  caused  great  sorrow  among  friends 


8 SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 

in  the  home  land.  In  1889,  Miss  Emma  Morton,  who 
afterwards  married  Mr.  S.  L.  G-insburg,  came  to  take 
the  place  left  vacant  by  the  death  of  Miss  Rice.  In  1891, 
the  mission  was  again  reinforced  by  the  coming  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  J.  J.  Taylor  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  L.  Downing; 
and  again  in  1893,  by  the  coming  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  J. 
Porter.  Mr.  W.  E.  Entzminger  and  wife  came  in  1900 
from  Pernambuco,  where  they  had  been  laboring  since 
1891. 

The  First  Church  in  Rio  continued  to  grow  through  the 
years.  In  1894,  the  church  and  workers  were  greatly 
rejoiced  over  securing  a building  for  a chapel.  A large 
part  of  the  money  for  the  house  was  contributed  by 
Messrs.  .loshua  and  Eugene  Levering  of  Baltimore.  The 
women  in  Missouri  also  encouraged  the  movement  and 
made  a liberal  contribution,  while  $1,500  was  contrib- 
uted by  the  church  and  friends  in  Rio  toward  fitting  up 
and  furnishing  the  building.  In  1900,  Senhor  P.  F.  Soren, 
who  had  been  baptized  by  Mr.  Bagby,  and  who  had 
studied  in  William  Jewell  College  and  the  Southern  Bap- 
tist Theological  Seminary,  became  the  pastor  of  this 
church.  Under  his  wise  and  enthusiastic  leadership  the 
church  has  grown  in  numbers,  efficiency  and  power.  In 
1908  it  had  a membership  of  300,  reported  seventy-five 
baptisms,  and  $3,893  contributed  to  all  purposes.  It  is 
self-supporting  and  contributes  liberally  for  the  support  of 
the  gospel  in  other  parts. 

From  this  beginning  the  Mission  has  grown  until  now 
we  have  nine  churches  with  a total  membership  of  705, 
and  eighteen  out-stations  where  preaching  is  maintained 
with  more  or  less  regularity. 

Nictheroy.  This  is  the  capital  of  the  state  of  Rio  de 
Janeiro,  and  is  situated  across  the  bay  from  the  city  of 
Rio.  Early  in  the  history  of  the  Mission  a church  was 
organized  here  and  maintained  for  several  years.  Dur- 
ing the  naval  revolt  in  1893,  the  little  church  suffered 


SOUTIIERX  BAPTTvST  MISSIOX8  TX  SOUTH  AMERICA. 


9 


greatly,  their  preaching  hall  being  badly  injured  by  the 
explosion  of  bombs  from  the  guns  of  the  revolting  war- 
ships. After  several  years  of  fluctuating  experience,  the 


FIRST  CHURCH,  RIO 

church  disbanded,  and  the  members  joined  in  Rio.  In 
1900,  it  was  re-organized,  and  from  the  very  beginning  of 
its  new  existence  “won  the  martyr’s  crown,”  for  it  soon 
became  the  object  of  bitter  persecution  by  the  Romanists. 


3 0 SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 

One  Sunday  night  the  rented  hall  was  invaded  by  a mob, 
the  believers,  gathered  for  the  worship  of  God,  were 
beaten  and  scattered,  and  then  everything  in  the  house 
was  taken  out  into  the  street,  saturated  with  kerosene 
oil  and  set  on  fire;  but  in  the  face  of  this  opposition  the 
little  band  is  faithful  and  aggressive. 

Engenho  de  Dentro.  This  is  a suburb  of  Rio  where,  in 
1901,  a church  was  organized  with  eighteen  members, 
who  had  received  letters  from  the  First  Church  at  Rio. 
In  spite  of  some  internal  dissensions,  this  church  has 
made  good  progress.  They  have  a membership  of  sixty- 
seven,  and  a house  of  worship  nearly  paid  for.  Last  year 
the  average  contribution  per  member  was  ten  dollars. 

Parahyba  do  Sul.  This  town  is  on  the  railroad,  about 
five  hours’  ride  from  Rio.  The  church  here  was  organ- 
ized in  1895,  and  was  composed  of  the  members  of 
a Pedo-Baptist  church  who  had  become  dissatisfied  on 
the  question  of  baptism,  through  a discussion  carried  on 
in  the  Boas  Novas,  the  mission  paper  published  at 
that  time.  They  began  to  read  the  New  Testament  for 
themselves,  and  determined  to  obey  its  teachings.  They 
sent  for  one  of  our  missionaries  who,  after  giving  in- 
struction in  Baptist  principles,  baptized  almost  the  en- 
tire membership  and  organized  them  into  a church.  This 
little  band  has  had  some  trying  experiences,  and  at  one 
time  the  outlook  seemed  dark.  INIuch  of  its  success  is 
due  to  one  good  woman,  who  held  on  and  brought  the 
church  through  a great  crisis.  At  one  time  she  sold  her 
cow  and  calf  for  fifty  dollars,  which  she  gave  to  the 
cause.  At  present  the  prospect  for  the  church  is  more 
hopeful. 

Anta.  At  this  small  town,  two  hours  farther  along  on 
the  railway,  Mr.  W.  E.  Entzminger  and  Senhor  Soren  or- 
ganized a church  in  December,  1902,  composed  of  forty- 
nine  members,  forty-four  of  whom  had  been  baptized 
during  the  year.  Senhor  Soren  was  elected  pastor,  in 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  11 


addition  to  his  strenuous  duties  with  the  first  Church  at 
Rio.  This  church  has  had  a wonderful  growth.  Within 
one  year  its  membership  increased  to  141.  It  is  situated 
among  the  mountains,  and  the  mountain  people  come  in 
great  numbers  to  the  services.  The  people  call  the  mem- 
bers of  the  church  “boas  vidas”  (good  lives),  because 
they  claim  that  those  who  profess  faith  in  Christ  should 
lead  a good  life.  In  1903,  they  built  for  themselves  a 
good  house  of  worship,  and  at  that  time  had  five  out- 
stations.  In  1904  there  w re  107  baptisms,  and  churches 
were  organized  at  three  of  its  out-stations — Sapucaia, 
Barao  de  Aquino  and  Pea.  The  Mission  has  two  other 
churches — Valenca  and  Ilhado  Governador  (Governor’s 
Island,  situated  in  the  beautiful  Rio  bay). 

2.  Campos  Mission.  In  1890,  a very  promising  Mis- 
sion was  opened  in  the  central  part  of  the  State  of  Rio 
de  Janeiro,  at  Campos.  The  city  is  a railroad  center, 
enjoys  river  navigation  for  steamers,  and  is  sur- 
lounded  by  a fine  section  of  country.  On  his  first  visit 
to  this  city,  Mr.  Bagby  was  so  encouraged  by  the  pros- 
pect that  he  arranged  to  leave  a native  brother  on  the 
field  and,  through  the  liberality  of  one  of  the  members  of 
the  church  at  Rio,  the  expense  of  furnishing  a hall  was 
promptly  met.  The  attendance  on  public  preaching  was 
good,  and  from  time  to  time,  Mr.  Bagby  came  to  the  city 
to  baptize  converts.  The  ordinance  was  oftentimes  ad- 
ministered at  night  in  the  Parahyba  River. 

Campos  First  Church.  In  March,  1891,  a church  of  ten 
members  was  constituted.  On  the  same  occasion  four 
were  baptized  and  one  was  received  for  baptism.  Thus 
the  little  church  entered  upon  its  work  with  fifteen  mem- 
bers. For  about  two  years  the  church  had  an  uninter- 
rupted growth  under  the  ministry  of  Mr.  J.  L.  Down- 
ing, who,  in  1893.  was  compelled  to  return  to  the  United 
States  on  account  of  Mrs.  Downing’s  failing  health.  Early 
in  1894,  Mr.  S.  L.  Ginsburg,  about  whose  connection  with 


12  SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 

the  Mission  more  will  be  said  later,  was  compelled  to 
leave  Nictheroy  because  of  the  troubles  which  that  city 
suffered  on  account  of  the  naval  revolt,  and  came  to 
Campos,  where  he  remained  until  1900,  proving  him- 
self to  be  a g’reat  soul-winner  and  church  builder.  After 
much  hard  work  and  great  sacrifices,  a house  of  worship 
was  completed  in  the  summer  of  1898.  At  its  dedication 
practically  the  whole  city  assembled.  City  and  state 
officials  attended,  offered  their  congratulations,  and  heard 
the  gospel  preached.  The  church  continued  to  grow  in 
numbers  and  consecration.  In  1900,  Mr.  Ginsburg  re- 
moved to  Pernambuco,  and  Mr.  A.  L.  Dunstan  and  wife, 
who  had  recently  come  to  Brazil,  took  charge  of  the 
Mission.  Mr.  Dunstan  remained  here  doing  aggressive 
and  constructive  work  until  the  spring  of  1906,  when  he 
had  a severe  attack  of  yellow  fever,  and  was  compelled 
to  return  to  the  States  for  recuperation.  The  burden  of 
the  work  then  fell  upon  Mr.  D.  F.  Crosland,  who,  with 
his  wife,  had  joined  the  mission  in  1905.  The  church 
has  continued  to  grow,  and  after  sending  out  a large 
number  of  members  to  form  other  churches,  reported  last 
year  128  members  who  contributed  for  all  objects  $813. 

Sao  Fidel  is.  In  this  neighboring  city  a church  was  or- 
ganized by  Mr.  S.  L.  Ginsburg,  in  July,  1894,  with  five 
members  of  the  Campos  Church,  who  were  residing  in  Sao 
Fidelis.  It  was  here  where  Mr.  Ginsburg  had  been  im- 
prisoned for  preaching  the  gospel,  and  his  congregations 
repeatedly  scattered,  but  this  persecution  only  served  to 
awaken  interest  and  to  unite  the  believers  in  stronger 
bonds  of  love.  In  July,  1899,  a handsome  church  building 
was  dedicated.  The  lot  on  which  the  chapel  was  built  was 
given  by  a deacon,  who  afterwards  became  pastor  of  the 
church.  The  money  was  contributed  by  the  members, 
and  at  no  time  was  the  church  any  expense  to  the  Mis- 
sion, except  the  traveling  expenses  of  the  missionary. 
The  man  who  built  the  chapel  gave  his  work  in  memory 


SOUTHERN  RAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  A;MERTCA. 


13 


of  his'  beloved  son,  a member  of  the  church  who  had 
died  of  yellow  fever.  He  paid  the  expense  of  its  con- 
struction on  condition  that  the  church  would  pay  him 


CHURCH  AT  SAO  FIDELIS. 

lierpetually  six  per  cent,  interest  on  the  money  spent,  but 
immediately  after  the  dedication  of  the  chapel,  this  broth- 
er, who  had  himself  been  dangerously  ill,  was  able  to  be 


14  SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 


baptized.  On  coming  up  out  of  the  water  he  exclaimed, 
“Now,  I want  to  give  all  to  Jesus,”  and  so  in  the  act 
of  his  baptism  the  whole  debt  against  the  church  was 
settled.  The  growth  of  this  church  in  the  midst  of  fierce 
persecution  has  been  one  of  the,  most  encouraging  feat- 
ures about  our  work  in  Brazil.  The  secret  of  the  growth 
is  found  in  the  active  part  which  the  members  take  in 
the  work.  It  seems  that  they  have  discovered  and  fol- 
low the  scriptural  plan  of  evangelizing.  This  sentence 
from  the  annual  report  of  the  Mission  explains  it  all: 
“As  soon  as  a member  receives  baptism,  he  makes  it 
his  duty  to  go  and  preach  to  his  relatives  and  friends, 
and  this  has  brought  about  many  wonderful  cases  of  con 
version.”  With  such  a spirit  prevailing  in  the  church, 
we  are  not  surprised  to  learn  that  by  the  year  1903,  Mr. 
Dunstan  was  able  to  report  that  there  were  three  out- 
stations,  and  colonies  had  gone  out  to  form  four  new 
churches:  Ernesto  Machado,  Rio  Negro.  Rio  Prato  and 

Aperibe. 

This  Sao  Fidelis  church  is  a fine  illustration  of  the 
expansive  power  of  the  missionary  passion  in  the  lives 
of  those  who  are  willing  to  suffer  and  labor  for  the  cause 
of  truth.  This  church  has  not  suffered  by  sending  out 
colonies  to  form  other  churches.  Last  year  it  received 
forty-seven  members  by  baptism  and  is  now,  througti 
the  activities  of  its  membership,  sustaining  twenty-two 
out-stations.  At  present  it  has  227  members.  There  are 
eight  other  churches  in  the  Mission,  wuth  a total  member- 
ship of  over  500. 

The  entire  Campos  IMissIon,  it  will  be  seen,  is  com- 
posed of  fourteen  churches,  and  maintains  110  out-sta- 
tions where  the  gospel  is  preached.  It  reported  in  1908. 
379  baptisms,  nineteen  Sunday  Schools,  and  contributed 
for  all  purposes,  $3,195.31.  INIr.  and  IMrs.  D.  F.  Crosland 
are  our  missionaries  in  charge.  Recently  l\Ir.  and  Mrs. 
A.  B.  Christie  have  joined  the  Mission,  which  also  has  a 


SOUTHERiV  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  15 


native  working  force  of  three  ordained  and  ten  iinor- 
dained  ministers. 

1.  Victoria  Mission.  The  state  of  Espirito  Santo,  one 
of  the  smallest  states  of  the  Republic,  lies  along  the  At- 
lantic coast,  between  the  state  of  Rio  de  Janeiro  on  the 
south,  and  Bahia  on  the  north.  Its  capital  is  Victoria, 
which  is  the  central  station  of  our  Victoria  Mission.  This 
city  had  been  visited  from  time  to  time  by  different  mis- 
sionaries, and  a little  church  was  organized  in  1903.  In 


BAI’TIST  CHTTRCH  AT  VICTORIA. 

September,  1904,  Mr.  L.  M.  Reno  and  wife  took  charge 
of  the  Mission,  which  has  had  a remarkable  growth.  It 
now  embraces  eight  churches,  each  having  its  own  native 
pastor. 

The  Victoria  Church  reported  last  year  165  members 
and  thirty-five  baptisms.  It  supports  fifteen  out- 
stations  and  contributed  last  year  $500.  After  much  sac- 
rifice this  church  has  succeeded  in  erecting  a very  beau- 
tiful house  of  worship  at  a cost  of  $3,156,  and  a native 
pastor  preaches  to  large  congregations. 


16  SOUTHERTSr  BAPTIST  :\rrSSIOXS  IX  south  AMERICA. 


The  Rio  Novo  Church  was  organized  in  1904.  A busi- 
ness man.  who  Avas  a Baptist  and  a member  of  one  of 
cur  churches,  Avent  to  this  city  to  live.  Upon  his  invita- 
tion, the  missionary  came  and  preached,  and  soon  a church 
was  established,  which  has  about  12.5  members,  sustains 
six  out-stations,  and  last  year  reported.  tAventy-four  bap- 
tisms. Though  the  persecution  has  been  severe,  the 
church  has  prospered.  At  one  time  the  congregation  Avas 
attacked  by  a mob,  driven  to  the  streets  and  neighboring 
houses,  and  everything  in  the  house  broken  and  burned, 
even  to  the  Brazilian  flag.  This  persecution  continued 
in  an  attack  on  the  believers  in  their  OAvn  homes.  The 
local  police  failed  to  suppress  these  attacks,  so  Mr.  Reno 
applied  to  the  governor  of  'the  state,  Avho  sent  a force 
by  the  first  train  to  restore  order.  After  this  fearful 
onslaught  many  hearts  were  opened  to  receive  the  gos- 
pel. and  Mr.  Reno  baptized  twenty-six  converts  at  one 
time.  The  young  people  of  this  church  are  very  active 
in  seeking  to  Avin  others  to  Christ.  The  members  noAv 
sustain  a good  school  for  their  children. 

The  church  at  Eeperanca  (Hope)  is  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  state.  In  1905  the  missionary  made  a visit 
to  this  locality  and,  after  preaching  for  a number  of 
days,  baptized  tAventy  persons  and  organized  a church. 

Cachoeiro.  Gastello  and  Capim  are  neAv  churches,  organ- 
ized in  1909. 

Bugre,  Jose  Pedro.  These  tAvo  churches,  each  Avith  a 
membership  of  a score  or  more,  are  situated  in  the  great 
state  of  Minas  Geraes,  Avest  of  Espirito  Santo,  and  are 
visited  occasionally  by  the  missionary  from  Victoria. 
Other  churches  organized  several  years  ago  in  the  state 
are  Juiz  de  Fora.  Barbacena  and  Bello  Horizonte,  the 
capital.  For  lack  of  a resident  missionary,  the  Avork 
in  this  state  has  neA^er  been  Augorously  pushed.  It  is  a 
most  inviting  field,  and  a missionary  is  greatly  needed 
to  go  and  occupy  it  at  once, 


SOUTHEKN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  17 


The  Victoria  field  is  one  of  great  promise.  The  Mis- 
sion is  well  organized  and  the  members  of  the  churches 
are  united  and  aggressive.  At  several  outstations  the 
prospect  is  bright  for  the  early  organization  of  churches. 
Much  has  been  done  toward  securing  the  good  will  of 
the  masses  of  the  people  and  the  future  is  full  of  hope 
and  encouragement. 

4.  Sao  Paulo  Mission.  Sao  Paulo,  with  its  350,000 
inhabitants,  is  the  capital  of  the  state  of  the  same  name. 
This  is  the  greatest  coffee  producing  state  and  has  much 
wealth.  The  beautiful  city  is  growing  rapidly  in  every 
way  and  is  one  of  the  strategic  points  of  influence  in  the 
country.  For  many  years  it  has  been  a center  of  mis- 
sionary effort  for  our  Presbyterian  and  Methodist  friends, 
still  a conservative  estimate  places  the  number  of  con- 
verted people  in  the  city  at  not  more  than  2,000.  Here 
is  a great  mass  of  humanity  in  dire  need  of  the  gospel: 
The  people  are  enlightened,  progressive  and  liberal- 
minded.  It  is  a fine  field  for  mission  work. 

Sao  Paulo,  First  Church.  In  1899  Mr.  J.  J.  Taylor  and 
Mr.  J.  L.  Downing,  with  their  wives,  and  Misses  Wilcox 
and  Stenger,  who  had  been  teaching  at  Bello  Horizonte 
in  the  state  of  Minas  Geraes,  came  to  this  city.  They 
soon  fitted  up  a neat  preaching  hall  in  the  central  part 
of  the  city,  and,  in  July,  organized  a church  of  eighteen 
members,  which  now  has  more  than  150  members  and 
reported  last  year  forty  baptisms.  This  church,  in  its 
unity  and  purposefulness,  stands  as  a triumph  of  the  gos- 
pel. It  is  cosmopolitan  in  character,  having  in  its  mem- 
bership some  twelve  nationalities — American,  English, 
Spanish,  French,  Italian,  Portuguese,  Brazilian,  African, 
German,  Pole,  and  Russian,  besides  several  mixed  races. 
Mr,  A.  B.  Deter  is  the  pastor,  having  been  transferred 
from  the  Rio  Mission,  where  for  several  years  he  did 
excellent  work. 

Santos.  This  is  the  largest  coffee  port  in  the  world, 


18  SOUTHEIiN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 


and  is  a very  important  point  for  evangelization.  Last 
year  more  than  35,000  immigrants  disembarked  at  this 
city  and  more  than  200,000  passed  through  en  transit. 
The  man  who  occupies  this  field  will  have  an  opportunity 
of  preaching  to  people  from  every  section  of  the  earth. 
We  have  here  a little  church,  organized  in  1904.  Regard- 
ing the  baptism  of  some  of  the  first  members  of  this 
church,  Mr.  W.  B.  Bagby  wrote  the  following  description: 
“Last  Sunday  night  we  had  a beautiful  baptismal  scene 
down  at  Santos,  when,  after  preaching,  a group  of 
brethren  and  friends  went  out  to  the  ocean  beach  and 
there,  as  the  waves  dashed  up  about  us,  I buried  four 
candidates  in  the  foaming  waters  in  baptism.  These 
were  all  men — two  of  them  soldiers.  The  moon  threw  a 
soft  light  over  the  scene  and  it  was  most  impressive  and 
solemn.’’ 

Mr.  A.  L.  Dunstan,  who  worked  faithfully  for  a num- 
ber of  years  in  the  Campos  and  Rio  Missions,  was  trans- 
ferred last  year  to  this  inviting  but  difficult  field. 

Alto  da  Serra  is  a prosperous  little  city  on  the  rail- 
road half  way  between  Santos  and  Sao  Paulo.  Our 
church  here  was  organized  in  1905  and  a house  for  the 
services  was  given  by  a liberal  railroad  official.  This 
little  church  has  prospered  in  the  midst  of  great  oppo- 
sition. 

Jundiahy  is  a thriving  city  of  1 5,000  inhabitants.  We  have 
here  a thriving  little  church  of  forty-five  members,  which 
was  organized  in  1903.  The  church  sustains  in  part  their 
pastor  evangelist,  pays  his  traveling  expenses  to  other 
points,  and  pays  the  rent  of  their  preaching  hall.  The 
congregations  are  good;  there  is  a live  Sunday  school; 
also  a prosperous  Young  People’s  LTnion,  which  is  doing 
much  for  the  development  of  the  young  people.  It  was 
with  this  church  that  the  Association  of  the  State  of 
Sao  Paulo  held  its  first  session  in  December,  1904. 

Campinas.  Campinas  is  a city  of  40,000  people  and  is 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  19 


an  important  railroad  center.  Here  Mr.  Bagby  and  Mr. 
Taylor,  with  their  wives,  spent  some  time  in  studying  the 
language  in  1882  before  leaving  the  state  of  Sao  Paulo 
to  open  the  work  in  Bahia.  In  1907  three  earnest  Chris- 
tians rented  a house,  opened  it  for  preaching,  and  asked 
the  Mission  to  send  them  a preacher  whenever  possible. 
This  was  done,  and  at  once  the  congregations  were  large, 
interest  developed,  and  a church  was  organized,  which 
now  has  above  fifteen  members,  who  contributed  last  year 
upon  an  average  of  $30  per  member. 

Santa  Barbara.  This  is  the  church  of  which  Mr.  Bagby 
was  pastor  for  about  one  year  while  he  was  learning  the 
Portuguese  language  and  from  which  the  rerniest  came 
to  the  Foreign  Mission  Board  to  send  missionaries  to 
Brazil.  Through  the  years  the  little  church  has  continued 
to  exist.  Many  times,  when  they  had  no  regular  pastor, 
our  missionaries,  while  there  was  no  regular  mission  in 
Sao  Paulo,  visited  the  church  and  thus  the  interest  was 
kept  alive.  From  this  American  Baptist  colony  have 
gone  out  some  very  fine  workers  for  the  cause  of  the 
Master  in  other  parts.  At  present  it  has  about  thirty 
members. 

Tambahu.  This  town  is  located  in  one  of  the  richest 
coffee  districts.  The  church  here  was  organized  in  1905. 
The  pastor,  who  is  also  a colporter  under  the  employ- 
ment of  the  London  Bible  Society,  goes  out  to  preach 
the  gospel  in  adjacent  districts.  It  is  a promising  field. 

Nova  Odessa.  This  is  a Russian  colony  and  here  we  have 
a live,  active  Russian  Baptist  church,  with  about  seventy- 
five  members,  who  carry  on  their  own  work  and  are  ready 
to  help  evangelize  their  neighbors  and  the  rest  of  the 
world.  They  have  a flourishing  Sunday  school,  and  one 
of  our  missionaries  says,  “I  doubt  if  there  is  a better 
choir  to  be  found  anywhere  than  they  have.  It  would  be 
a wise  thing  if  our  Board  could  find  and  send  out  a 
strong,  consecrated  man  who  can  speak  the  Lettish  Ian- 


20  SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 

guage  to  work  among  the  Russians  of  this'  state,  with 
the  Nova  Odessa  church  as  his  base  of  operations.” 

At  Corombatahy,  a neighboring  village,  a second  Rus- 
sian church  was  organized  in  June,  1908. 

II.  THE  EAST  COAST  FIELD. 

As  previously  stated,  the  East  Coast  Field  includes 
the  states  of  Bahia  and  Pernambuco  and  several  ad- 
joining states,  the  entire  field  co  veering  a territory  more 
than  three  times  as  large  as  Texas.  In  this  field  we 
have  three  missions — Bahia,  Pernambuco  and  Alagoas. 

1.  Bahia  Mission.  In  our  story  of  the  “beginnings” 
an  account  was  given  of  the  organization  of  our  First 
Church  in  Bahia.  After  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Bagby  removed  to  flio  in 
1884,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Taylor  re- 
mained in  Bahia  until  1887,  when, 
broken  in  health,  they  were  forced 
to  return  to  the  United  States. 
On  account  of  poor  health,  Miss 
Everett  also  left  the  field.  Re- 
turning in  1888,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Taylor  took  up  the  work  again 
and  Mr.  C.  D.  Daniel,  who,  in 
their  absence,  had  had  over- 
sight of  the  Mission,  removed  to 
the  South  Coast  Field.  In  the  same  year  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
J.  A.  Barker  came  to  the  Mission,  but,  on  account  of 
the  ill  health  of  the  latter,  were  soon  compelled  to  leave 
the  field.  In  1893  Mr.  R.  E.  Neighbour  came,  and,  after 
remaining  two  years,  returned  to  the  United  States. 
August  19,  1894,  the  Mission  was  bereft  by  the  death  of 
Mrs.  Z.  C.  Taylor,  who,  with  marked  patience  and  con- 
secration, had  stood  by  her  husband  in  their  noble  work 
for  more  than  twelve  years. 


Z.  C,  TAVLOR. 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  21 


An  event  of  special  interest  in  the  history  of  this  Mis- 
sion was  the  conversion  of  Mr.  S.  L.  Ginsburg  to 
Baptist  views,  and  his  baptism  by  Mr.  Taylor,  in  1891. 
Mr.  Ginsburg  is  a Russian  by  birth  and  his  father  was 
a Jewish  Rabbi  in  that  country.  He  was  converted  by 
reading  the  New  Testament.  His  father  disinherited 
him,  but  he  says:  “Jesus,  my  Savior,  did  not  fail  me,  for 
He  took  me  up.”  Expelled  from  his  Russian  home,  Mr. 
Ginsburg  went  to  Germany,  where  he  studied  eight  years. 
Later  he  went  to  London  to  enter  business.  Deciding  to 
become  a missionary,  he  entered  Grattan-Guinness  Col- 
lege and  later  was  sent  out  as  a missionary  to  Brazil, 
where  he  worked  as  a self-supporting  missionary  with  the 
views  of  a Congregationalist.  Through  conversation  with 
Mr.  Taylor  and  others,  he  received  light  on  God’s  Word 
and,  after  making  a thorough  study  of  the  subject  of 
baptism,  asked  to  be  received  into  the  church  of  Bahia. 
Concerning  himself,  Mr.  Ginsburg  wrote  at  that  time: 
“The  ways  of  God  are  unknown  to  us'  mortals.  The  way 
the  Lord  has  led,  chosen  and  prepared  me  for  this  work  is 
almost  impossible  to  describe,  and  yet,  I feel  sure  that 
He  has  called  me  to  be  one,  though  the  weakest,  of  His 
helpers  in  the  glorious  cause  of  Christ  in  Brazil.”  These 
words  seem  prophetic  in  the  light  of  what  God  has 
accomplished  through  the  man  who  wrote  them.  After 
serving  in  various  other  missions,  in  1909  he  came  back 
to  Bahia  and  took  charge  of  the  work  during  IMr.  Taylor’s 
absence  on  a visit  to  the  United  States.  In  the  same 
year  the  Mission  was  reinforced  by  the  coming  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  C.  F.  Stapp.  Under  the  direction  of  Messrs. 
Ginsburg  and  Stapp,  the  work  continues  to  prosper. 

In  1895,  Miss  Laura  Barton,  a former  missionary  to 
China,  married  Mr.  Z.  C.  Taylor,  during  a vacation  in 
the  United  States,  and  has  proven  to  be  a most  valuable 
addition  to  the  Mission,  having  conducted  with  marked 
success  the  Girls’  School  in  Bahia. 


22  SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 

Bahia  First  Church.  Through  all  the  years  of  the  Mis- 
sion’s history,  this  venerable  mother  church  has  con- 
tinued to  prosper.  It  has  been  a kind  of  storm  center  in 
the  great  evangelistic  campaign  which  has  been  carried 
on  in  all  this  section  of  Brazil.  Early  in  its  history  it 
succeeded  in  securing  a house  of  worship,  the  members 
contributing  $1,000  and  the  Foreign  Mission  Board  appro- 
priating $4,000.  This  house  was  the  old  Inquisition  Build- 
ing, once  the  scene  of  imprisonment  and  torture.  By  an 
underground  passage  it  was  connected  with  the  home 
of  the  Archbishop  of  Brazil.  Though  built  more  than  one 
hundred  and  fifty  years  ago,  it  is  still  a substantial  struc- 
ture. Being  offered  for  sale  at  a low  figure,  it  was  bought 
and  repaired  and  is  now  a commodious  house  of  wor- 
ship for  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Bahia.  From  Inquisi- 
tion Building  to  Baptist  meeting  house!  Is  this  not  a 
miracle  of  transformation?  Peace  and  harmony  have  not 
always  prevailed  in  this  church.  There  have  been  some 
dissensions  and  oppositions.  Several  years  ago  a second 
church  was  constituted,  and  between  this  new  church  and 
the  mother  church  there  was  a spirit  of  unfriendly  rivalry, 
but  all  this  came  to  an  end  in  the  summer  of  1909,  when 
a glorious  reunion  service  was  held  and  all  differences 
were  settled.  On  this  occasion  the  gentle  spirit  of  for- 
giveness and  loving-kindness  filled  the  hearts  of  the  mem- 
bers of  both  churches.  Senhor  Tomaz  L.  Costa,  superin- 
tendent of  the  Sunday  school  of  the  First  Church,  writing 
about  the  meeting  says,  that  the  Spirit  of  God  was  so 
manifest  that  “heaven  seemed  to  be  very  near.” 

The  Bahia  Mission  has  twenty-nine  churches.  In  this 
space  it  will  be  impossible  to  give  historical  sketches  of 
all  of  these,  but  reference  to  the  beginnings  of  a few  will 
illustrate  the  pioneering  methods  used  in  evangelizing  this 
vast  territory. 

Alagoinhas  was  one  of  the  first  churches  established 


SOUTHEIiN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  23 


in  the  interior.  Mr.  Taylor,  in  company  with  a colporter, 
had  made  several  visits  to  this  city  and  a preaching  hall 
nan  been  openea,  where  services  had  been  held  with 
more  or  less  regularity.  In  the  summer  of  1890  small- 
pox became  epidemic  in  the  city.  Hearing  of  the  dis- 
iiess  caused  by  it,  some  of  the  members  of  the  church 
ill  Bahia  decided  to  go  to  the  relief  of  the  sufferers.  Six 
men  and  women  volunteered  and  Mr.  Taylor  accompanied 
them,  the  railroad  furnishing  passes.  They  found  more 
than  one  hundred  cases — some  huddled  together  in  old 
houses,  on  pieces  of  planks  or  mats^  and  some  on  the 
ground.  The  hospitals  were  little  better  than  places  of 
negligence  and  death;  the  ignorant  and  superstitious 
people  refused  medical  treatment  and  w^ent  into  hiding 
rather  than  be  carried  to  the  hospitals.  There  w^ere  only 
two  nurses  to  look  after  the  victims,  and  these  locked 
the  doors  at  night  and  went  home,  leaving  them  to  live 
or  die.  After  conferring  with  the  authorities  and  the 
physician  in  charge,  and  rendering  such  service  as  lay 
in  his  powder,  Mr.  Taylor  returned  to  raise  money  for 
the  relief  of  the  sick.  As  the  epidemic  declined  the  pub- 
lic began  to  realize  the  condition  of  affairs  and  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Bahia  church  w^ere  able  to  return  home,  after 
having  given  tw^enty  days  to  alleviating  the  suffering  in 
Alagoinhas.  The  church  was  founded  and  fostered  in  this 
atmosphere  of  love  and  sympathy. 

Vargem  Grande  was  founded  in  1890.  The  native 
preacher,  who  organized  the  church  and  became  its  first 
pastor,  was  for  a number  of  years,  supported  by  funds 
contributed  by  a number  of  our  Baptist  churcnes  in  Mex- 
ico. A house  of  wmrship  was  built  and  paia  lor  by  the 
members,  and  the  church  soon  undertook  the  support 
of  its  pastor. 

Jequie,  one  of  the  strongest  churches  in  the  Mission 
wms  organized  by  a native  evangelist  in  1902,  with  seven- 
teen members.  In  a brief  time  there  w-ere  more  than 


24  SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 

100  members,  a commodious  house  of  worship  and  pas- 
tor’s home  were  built,  and  immediately  the  church  began 
to  pay  their  pastor’s  salary.  This  pastor  first  became  in- 
terested in  the  gospel  by  reading  the  New  Testament. 
Hearing  of  the  missionaries  in  Bahia,  he  made  a journey 
to  that  city  to  learn  the  way  of  salvation  more  per- 
fectly. While  there  he  was  baptized.  Later  he  returned 
and  was  ordained.  The  church  above  described  is  one 
of  the  first  fruits  of  his  labors,  and  the  story  of  its  be- 
ginnings illustrates  the  early  history  of  many  of  our 
churches  in  this  Mission. 

Amargosa.  An  entrance  into  Amargosa,  one  of  the  best 
commercial  cities  in  the  interior  of  the  state  of  Bahia, 
was  effected  in  a peculiar  way.  Two  gentlemen  from 
Amargosa,  one  a captain  and  the  other  a colonel,  called 


BATISMAL  SCENE  IN  VALENCA  RIVER. 

to  beg  him  to  visit  them  and  preach  to  the  people  the 
gospel  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  They  had  bought  a Bible  and 
several  tracts  from  a colporter  who  passed  through  Amar- 
gosa, and,  after  reading  and  re-reading  the  Bible,  had 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  25 


on  Mr.  Ginsburg  one  day,  and  told  him  they  had  come 
become  so  interested  that  they  longed  to  know  more  about 
it.  Seeing  his  address  on  one  of  the  tracts,  they  had 
come  to  him  for  more  light  on  the  wonderful  words  of 
the  Book.  Mr.  Ginsburg  seized  the  first  opportunity  to 
make  a trip  to  Amargosa,  and  was  deeply  gratified  at 
the  kindly  reception  accorded  him  and  the  interest  mani- 
fested in  his  message.  Large  numbers  attended  the  ser- 
vices, listening  profoundly,  with  eager  faces  and  bent 
heads.  “It  seemed,”  said  Mr.  Ginsburg,  “as  if  the  Spirit 
of  the  Lord  was  awakening  them  from  a long  sleep.  The 
priest  expostulated  with  the  president  of  the  municipal 
house  for  buying  a Bible  without  the  bishop’s  permis- 
sion and  for  countenancing  Protestants.  The  president 
replied:  ‘Sir,  priest,  I also  have  judgment  and  a con- 
science.’ ” Our  church  at  this  place  now  has  45  members. 

Conquista  is  an  interior  town,  250  miles  from  Bahia. 
The  church  was  organized  in  1900,  with  fifty-five  members. 
From  the  first  the  church  has  sustained  their  own  pas- 
tor, and  were  able,  unaided,  to  build  a handsome  house 
of  worship.  Writing  of  this  work,  Mr.  Taylor  says:  “It 
pays  to  extend  the  work  interior.  I made  a long  trip 
through  the  country,  and  found  this  flourishing  church 
with  150  members,  under  the  leadership  of  a native  pas- 
tor. They  had  built  a spacious  house  of  worship  and 
pastorium.  They  sustain  their  pastor,  and  a wonderful 
work  of  transformation  has  been  wrought  in  the  lives  of 
many.” 

Santa  Ritta,  Petrolina  and  Corrente.  During  several 
years,  Mr.  Taylor,  in  company  with  some  of  his  evange- 
lists and  colporters,  made  frequent  trips  up  the  great 
San  Francisco  River  into  the  upper  part  of  the  state  of 
Bahia  and  the  interior  states  of  Piauhy,  Minas  Geraes 
and  Goyaz.  Some  of  these  trips  extended  almost  a thou- 
sand miles  from  the  coast  and  required  two  or  three 
months.  On  these  tours  the  gospel  was  preached  in 


26  SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 

many  towns  and  communities,  and  many  tracts  distri- 
buted and  Bibles  sold;  but  not  until  1899  was  a mis- 
sionary secured  to  give  all  his  time  to  this  interior  work. 
This  missionary  was  IMr.  E.  A.  .Jackson,  who  came  to 
the  Mission  from  the  Christian  Alliance,  and  was  bap- 
tized and  ordained  for  the  far  interior  work.  After  mak- 
ing several  trips  through  the  great  San  Francisco  val- 
ley, and  witnessing  the  needs  of  its  more  than  one  mil- 
lion people  and  their  interest  in  the  gospel  wherever  it 
was  proclaimed,  Mr.  Jackson  was  convinced  that  a 
launch  would  greatly  facilitate  the  work  of  evangeliza- 
tion, and  so  he  began  to  pray  that  the  I.ord  would  make 
it  possible  for  him  to  procure  a launch  which  he  might 
use  in  this  way.  While  on  a visit  to  the  United  States, 
he  mentioned  his  desire  to  some  friends  who  united  with 
him  in  the  prayer.  As  he  pressed  his  work,  for  some 
time  it  seemed  that  his  prayer  would  not  be  answered, 
but.  after  several  months,  he  received  an  assurance  that 
God  was  at  work,  for  he  received  a contribution  of 
$1.00,  sent  by  a poor  sewing  woman,  toward  the  pur- 
chase of  the  boat.  Greatly  rejoiced,  he  praised  God  by 
faith  for  the  entire  amount,  of  which  this  dollar  was  a 
pledge.  After  long  waiting,  another  contribution  of  $2.00 
was  sent.  This'  was  followed  by  a brother  in  New  York 
stating  that  he  had  $100  to  invest  in  the  boat.  An  editor 
in  Louisville,  Ky.,  became  interested,  mentioned  the  mat- 
ter in  his  paper,  and  after  a time,  was  able  to  send  $150. 
Thus  the  amount  grew  larger  and  larger;  people  in  Bra- 
zil, in  England,  and  on  board  steamers’,  made  contribu- 
tions, until  the  total  amounted  to  more  than  $400.  A 
manufacturer  in  New  York  offered  to  give  a reduction 
on  the  list  price  by  building  the  launch  for  $500.  After 
much  prayer,  the  order  was  placed,  while  nearly  $100  of 
the  purchase  money  was  lacking.  This  amount  Mr.  Jackson’s 
mother  was  able  to  secure  from  friends  whom  she  had  in- 
vited to  dine  with  her  at  her  home,  in  Abingdon,  Va.,  on  the 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  27 


day  before  ber  son’s  departure  on  his  returning  to  Bra- 
zil. As  he  paid  in  the  purchase  money,  he  says  the  manu- 
facturers seemed  to  be  touched  by  the  telling  of  how  it 
had  been  secured,  and  at  their  own  expense  provided  $50 
worth  of  extras.  The  agent  of  the  steamship  company 
offered  to  transport  it  to  Bahia  for  $50,  which  amount 
some  friends  were  moved  to  give  on  the  day  before  sail- 
ing. The  governor  of  the  state  of  Bahia  approved  the 
plan,  and  secured  permission  for  operating  the  boat  on 
the  river;  and  one  of  the  directors  of  more  than  300  miles 
of  railroad,  over  which  the  boat  had  to  pass  to  the  river, 
had  it  transported  free  of  charge.  In  closing  the  story 
of  his  boat,  and  how  it  was  secured,  Mr.  Jackson  says: 
“My  God  shall  supply  all  your  need  according  to  His 
riches  in  glory  by  Christ  Jesus.”  The  launch  was  dedi- 
cate free  of  debt,  the  entire  cost,  including  transporta- 
tion, being  about  $700.  Mr.  Taylor  says:  “This  is  the 
third  vessel  ever  used  for  missions  in  South  America — 
the  first  being  used  by  Allen  Gardiner  on  the  Falkland 
Islands;  the  second  on  the  Orinoco  River,  and  this,  the 
third  one,  on  Brazilian  waters.”  In  this  launch,  Mr. 
Jackson  has  made  many  trips,  visiting  many  towns  and 
preaching  the  gospel  to  thousands  of  people.  His  terri- 
tory is  about  1,500  miles  long  and  500  miles  wide,  com- 
prising parts  of  five  states. 

Three  churchs  have  been  established,  Santa  Pitta,  Pe- 
trol ina  and  Cornete.  The  two  last  named  support  their 
own  native  pastor.  Mr.  Jackson  is  pastor  of  the  Santa 
Ritta  church,  and  has  his  home  there.  All  three  of  these 
churches  have  built  good  houses  of  worship.  There  are 
many  out-stations,  where  the  gospel  is  preached  from  time 
to  time. 

The  Bahia  Mission  has  twenty-one  other  churches,  all 
under  the  care  of  native  pastors,  and  thirty-five  out-sta- 
tions. Space  forbids  telling,  even  briefly,  the  story  of 
these  churches.  Their  names  are  given  as  follows: 


28  SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 


Cruz  de  Cosme,  Plataforma,  Valenca,  Castro  Alves,  Bel- 
monte, Cap'm,  Arroznovo,  Olhos  d’Agua,  Felicia,  Genebra, 
San  Antonio.  Rio  Salsa,  Pede  Serra,  Areia,  Duas  Barras, 
Genipapo,  S.  Miguel,  Guandu,  Irara,  Riacho  and  Ribeirao 
Bicho.  Guandu  was  organized  last  year,  with  forty-nine 
members,  and  reached  ninety-two  before  the  close  of  the 
year.  A deputy  sheriff  directs  the  worship.  Cruz  de 
Cosme  and  Plataforma  are  within  the  City  of  Bahia.  The 
three  last  named  are  new  churches,  organized  in  1909. 

2.  Pernambuco  Mission.  The  Pernambuco  Mission  em- 
braces the  state  of  Pernambuco,  and,  for  convenience  of 
operation,  is  divided  into  five  districts:  Recife  District, 
Nazareth  District,  Limoeiro  District,  Gravata  District,  and 
the  Palmares  District. 

Recife  District.  The  City  of  Pernambuco,  otherwise 
known  as  Recife,  is  the  capital  of  the  state,  and  has  a 
population  of  about  280,000.  About  1890,  Mr.  Z.  C.  Tay- 
lor and  some  of  his  native  assistants  visited  this  city, 
preaching  at  irregular  intervals.  A church  was  orga- 
nized, but,  for  lack  of  attention,  little  progress  was  made. 
In  the  summer  of  1892,  Mr.  W.  E.  Entzminger,  who  had 
been  in  Bahia  for  about  a year,  removed  to  Pernambuco, 
which  seemed  to  be  one  of  the  most  inviting  fields  in 
Brazil.  Many  seemed  anxious  to  hear  the  gospel  as  pro- 
claimed by  our  Baptist  missionary.  The  church  was  re-orga- 
nized with  twenty  members  from  the  former  organization, 
together  with  five  new  ones,  and  began  a career  of  re- 
markable growth.  Mr.  Entzminger  remained  on  the  field 
until  October,  1900,  when  he  removed  to  the  Rio  de  Ja- 
neiro Mission,  and  Mr.  Ginsburg  came  on  the  field. 

The  First  Church  in  Pernambuco  has  continued  to 
make  steady  progress,  and  has  now  about  450  members. 
Besides  this  First  Church,  three  others  have  been  orga- 
nized within  the  city:  Cordeiro,  Gamelleiro  and  Torre. 
Two  others,  Joboatao  and  Cabo,  are  within  the  suburbs 
of  the  city. 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  29 


The  work  at  Cabo  had  a most  interesting  beginning. 
Two  ministerial  students  visited  the  place  to  see  what 
the  outlook  might  be  for  work.  They  spent  almost  the 
entire  day  in  walking  up  and  down  the  streets  without 
telling  anybody  their  business.  As  they  were  about  ready 
to  leave  without  having  found  any  encouragement  at  all, 
they  saw  a large  frame  hanging  on  the  wall  as  they 
passed  the  door  of  a certain  house,  and  in  this  frame 
was  a verse  of  Scripture  in  large  letters.  One  said  to 
the  other.  “There  are  Christians  in  that  house,  because  I 
see  the  sign.”  Sure  enough,  when  they  knocked  at  the  door, 
they  found  three  very  devout  believers,  who  encouraged 
them  to  come  and  preach  the  gospel  in  the  community. 
This  was  the  beginning  of  what  proved  to  be  a most 
prosperous  work. 

All  six  of  the  Pernambuco  churches  are  fairly  pros- 
perous. The  five  new  churches  are  largely  the  result  of 
work  done  by  members'  of  the  First  Church.  Besides 
these  six  churches,  preaching  is  carried  on  at  seventeen 
out-stations.  At  many  of  these  we  may  expect  churches 
to  be  organized  in  the  future. 

When  Mr.  Ginsburg  left  the  field  in  the  summer  of 
1909,  to  take  charge  of  the  work  in  Bahia,  Mr.  D.  L. 
Hamilton  came  from  Maceio  and  assumed  the  oversight 
of  the  Mission.  Shortly  after  his  coming  a revival  of 
unusual  interest  was  held.  i\Irs.  Hamilton,  writing  of 
this  meeting,  says; 

“During  the  last  two  or  three  weeks  Ave  have  had  an 
old-time  revival  in  the  First  Church  of  Pernambuco.  A 
native,  who  is  a hard  worker  and  an  earnests  peaker,  did 
the  preaching.  Great  crowds  came  to  hear  him.  filling 
the  church  some  nights  to  overflowing.  One  night  seven- 
teen joined  the  church,  and  on  the  last  night  of  the 
meeting  about  twenty  persons  Avere  baptized  in  the  bap- 
tistry before  a congregation  of  some  400  people. 

“The  meeting  closed  August  29th,  but  the  interest  con- 


30  SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 


tinned.  September  1st,  five  were  baptized;  again  five 
more  on  September  5th. 

“The  interest  exists  not  only  in  the  First  Church,  but 
also  in  the  other  Baptist  churches  and  out-stations  in  this 
city,  and  in  the  churches  of  the  interio’. 

“It  is  calculated  that,  on  August  29th,  3,000  people  heard 
the  gospel  preached  by  Baptist  preachers  in  Pernambuco. 
Services  were  held  in  the  morning  at  the  two  largest 
churches';  in  the  afternoon,  two  open-air  services  were 
held,  and  at  night  services  in  all  the  churches  and  out- 
stations, 

“The  seed  has  been  sown  during  many  years,  and  now 
the  harvest  is  at  hand.  God  is  indeed  blessing  the  preach- 
ing of  His  Word  to  the  saving  of  many  souls.” 

Nazareth  District.  This  field  lies  in  the  northeastern 
part  of  the  state,  and  includes  the  Nazareth  Church,  with 
its  many  preaching  places,  and  the  churches  in  Jardim. 
Goyanna  and  Timbauba. 

The  Nazareth  Church  was  organized  in  1896.  Hr.  Entz- 
minger  had  made  several  previous  visits  to  this  city, 
and  a growing  interest  in  the  gospel  was  the  result  of 
his  preaching.  The  little  church  was  born  amid  bittef 
persecution.  Services  had  been  held  for  several  months 
in  a rented  hall,  when  one  night  it  was  entered  by  un- 
known parties  who  took  the  oil  from  the  lamps  and 
saturated  the  Bible,  organ  and  other  furnishings,  and 
set  fire  to  them.  The  family  living  next  door,  awakened 
by  the  flames  and  smoke,  hastened  to  the  scene,  and 
succeeded  in  arresting  the  fire,  but  not  until  the  furniture 
had  been  destroyed.  The  next  morning  there  was  great 
rejoicing  in  the  town  over  the  destruction  of  the  Bap- 
tist preaching  hall.  A few  days  afterward,  iMr,  Entz- 
minger  went  to  Nazareth  to  investigate  the  matter.  He 
was  met  at  the  station  by  about  a thousand  people, 
armed  with  clubs,  knives  and  pistols,  to  despatch  the 
heretic,  but  the  governor  had  sent  soldiers  with  him,  and 


SOUTIIERX  BAPTIST  MTSSIOXS  TX  SOUTH  AMERICA.  31 


the  tirrhulent  mob  was  converted  into  a friendly  escort. 
The  attendance  at  the  service  he  conducted  was  greatly 
increased,  and  a new  impetus  seemed  to  be  given  to  the 
cause  of  truth.  He  continued  preaching  for  several  days, 
and  organized  the  converts  into  a church.  From  the  be- 
ginning it  was  entirely  self-supporting,  contributing  the 
first  year  for  different  purposes  about  $275.  Soon  a lot 


was  secured,  and,  at  an  immense  sacrifice  on  the  part  of 
the  members  a chapel  was  erected  which  was  dedicated 
in  August,  1897.  Several  of  the  members  of  the  congre- 
gation owned  brickyards,  while  some  of  the  others  were 
bricklayers,  and  still  others  were  carpenters.  So  that,  in 
spite  of  being  poor,  they  themselyes,  with  but  little  out- 
side help,  built  their  own  chapel. 

The  Jardim  Church  was  organized  in  1906,  and  now 
has  forty- six  members. 

The  church  at  Goyanna  was  organized  in  1893.  Its 
growth  has  been  slow,  but  some  of  the  members  haye 


32  SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 


shown  wonderful  devotion,  and  have  made  great  sacri- 
fices. 

The  Timbauba  Church  was  organized  in  1900.  The 
membership  here  is  small  but  faithful.  One  of  the  mem- 
bers, an  extensive  farmer,  was  not  able  to  make  any- 
thing from  his  farm  for  a year  after  he  accepted  the 
gospel  and  united  with  the  church.  His  unfriendly  neigh- 
bors persecuted  him  severely,  burning  down  all  the  sugar- 
cane that  he  planted,  and  destroying  his  other  crops.  In 
the  midst  of  it  all  he  was  patient,  and  the  gospel  has 
met  with  great  success  in  the  city  and  adjacent  com- 
munities. 

The  Limoeiro  District.  This  district  lies  in  the  north- 
western part  of  the  State  of  Pernambuco.  Here  we  have 
six  churches:  Limoeiro,  Mheitas,  Outeiro,  Moganga,  Urus 
and  Figueiras,  and  twenty  other  preaching  places. 

The  Gravata  District.  This  field  lies  west  of  the  City 
of  Pernambuco,  and  is  easily  reached  by  railway.  Here 
three  churches  have  been  organized  and  four  out-stations 
have  been  established.  While  there  has  been  no  marked 
outward  persecution,  still  the  work  has  been  hindered  by 
secret  and  persistent  opposition.  Many  of  the  best  people 
are  favorable  to  the  gospel,  but  hesitate  to  make  open 
declaration  of  their  faith. 

The  Palmares  District.  This  lies  south  of  Pernambuco. 
It  is  also  reached  by  railway.  Three  churches  have  been 
organized,  and  there  are  many  communities  in  which  the 
gospel  has  been  preached  to  people  who  gladly  hear. 

The  work  in  the  Pernambuco  Mission  has  made  notable 
progress,  though  not  without  difficulty,  but  the  difficulties 
have  often  proved  to  be  like  stepping-stones  to  larger 
success.  Mr.  W.  H.  Cannada,  who  joined  the  Mission  in 
1902,  tells  about  a Bible  burning  in  the  City  of  Pernam 
buco.  The  Anti-Protestant  League,  a Catholic  organiza- 
tion, formed  for  opposing  the  gospel,  decided  to  make  a 
grand  rally  on  the  occasion  of  the  League’s  first  anniver- 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  33 

sary  in  the  city,  September  27,  1903.  They  published 
about  two  weeks  beforehand  a very  extensive  and  elabo- 
rate program,  a part  of  which  is  as  follows:  “There  will 
be  burnt  twenty-six  Bibles,  forty-two  New  Testaments, 
forty-five  copies  of  the  Gospel  of  Matthew;  Luke,  nine 
copies;  John,  twelve  copies;  Mark,  four;  and  Acts,  nine.” 
In  the  list  also  were  included  many  other  books  and 
about  300  copies  of  different  religious  evangelical  papers. 
According  to  the  program,  the  bishop  was  to  preside. 
Soon  after  the  notice  of  this  Bible  burning  appeared,  Mr. 
Ginsburg  telegraphed  to  the  National  Congress  in  Rio 
de  Janeiro.  The  matter  was  discussed  vigorously  before 
that  body,  and  finally  the  governor  of  Pernambuco  sent  an 
order  to  the  chief  of  police  to  prevent  the  burnnig  in  pub- 
lic. But  lest  there  should  be  a complete  defeat  of  the 
vile  purpose,  the  Bibles  were  burnt  in  the  backyard  of 
the  church.  On  a former  occasion,  February  22d,  of  the 
same  year,  214  Bibles  were  burnt  before  the  public. 
Some  one  managed  to  get  one  from  the  burning  pile,  and 
the  partially  burnt  title  page  of  the  New  Testament  was 
photographed  and  published  in  one  of  the  daily  papers. 
This  greatly  stirred  up  many  people  in  the  city,  and 
opened  the  way  for  proclaiming  the  gospel. 

3.  Alagoas  Mission.  Alagoas  is  one  of  the  smallest 
states  in  Brazil,  and  lies’  just  south  of  the  state  of 
Pernambuco.  This  Mission  reports  five  churches  and  five 
out-stations. 

Maceio,  the  capital  city,  has  a population  of  about 
25,000,  and  is  the  principal  city  of  this  Mission.  As  early 
as  1885,  fifty  persons  in  that  city  began  studying  the 
scriptures,  which  had  been  secured  from  a colporter.  As 
their  interest  deepened  they  sent  a message  to  Bahia,  ask- 
ing some  one  to  come  and  explain  the  gospel.  One 
of  the  native  workers,  Senhor  Teixeira,  who  was  a native 
of  Maceio,  made  two  visits  to  the  city,  and  preached 
to  large  congregations.  This  was  the  beginning  of  our 


34  SOUTHER]^  BAPTIST  LIISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 


mission  work  there.  Soon  a preaching  hall  was  opened, 
and  a few  converts  were  baptized.  Later  a native  worker 
named  John  Baptista  was  stationed  there,  and  a church 
was  organized.  The  prog'ress  was  very  slow,  but  in  1893 
the  church  numbered  sixty-six  members.  At  this  time  Mr. 
Joseph  Aden  came  and  took  up  the  work,  and  remained 
for  two  years,  during  which  time  some  advancement  was 
made.  When  Mr.  Aden  retired  from  the  field  the  work 
was  kept  up  principally  by  a deacon  of  the  church,  Sen- 
or  Manuel  Lins,  a godly,  zealous  man,  who  was  tactful 
in  approaching  his  countrymen,  many  of  whom  he  led 
to  Christ.  In  1901,  Mr.  J.  E.  Hamilton  came  to  the  Mis- 
sion, which  now  consisted  of  two  churches,  iMaceio  and 
Rio  Largo,  and  one  mission  station.  Under  his  ministry 
the  Maceio  church  grew  rapidly.  Within  two  years  it 
reached  a membership  of  more  than  140.  After  iMr.  Ham- 
ilton left  for  the  Amazon  Valley  the  church  prospered 
under  the  direction  of  a native  pastor,  under  whose  lead- 
ership it  continued  to  grow  until  it  rose  to  a member- 
ship of  about  250.  In  1908,  however,  a revolt  arose  within 
the  church,  and  the  membership  was  greatly  divided, 
and  the  cause  suffered  fearfully.  Later  Mr.  D.  L.  Hamil- 
ton, a brother  of  the  noble  man  who  died  in  Para,  came 
to  this  field.  After  much  faithful  work  by  this  earnest 
man,  the  church  entered  upon  a new  era  of  prosperity. 
Many  who  had  been  deluded  into  revolt  returned,  and,  in 
1908,  there  were  many  converts  and  baptisms.  Other 
churches  in  the  Alagoas  Mission  are  Rio  Largo,  Pilar, 
Penedo  and  Atalaia.  The  last  named  has  built  a good 
house  of  worship. 

The  entire  state  of  Alagoas  is  ripe  for  the  gospel. 
There  are  many  places  which  might  be  won  easily  if 
there  were  more  workers.  The  Mission  is  now  enjoying 
its  best  season  of  prosperity  under  the  leadership  of  Rev. 
R.  E.  Pettigrew,  who  came  from  the  Bahia  ^Mission  about 
two  years  ago. 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  35 


III.  THE  AMAZON  VALLEY  P'lELD. 

Ill  this  field  are  included  the 
northeast  coast  of  Brazil  from 
Cape  St.  Roque  to  the  mouth  of 
the  Amazon  River  and  the  valley 
of  the  great  river  from  Para  to 
its  sources  in  the  Andes  Moun- 
tains. In  extent,  it  covers  a terri- 
tory about  3,500  miles  in  length, 
with  an  average  width  of  1,000 
miles.  It  has  a population  of  about 
4,500,000,  and  is  one  of  the  most 
difficult  and  extensive  mission 
fields  in  the  world.  In  this  vast 
territory  we  have  about  fifteen 
E.  A.  NELSON.  chuTches,  and  as  many  out-stations. 
This  entire  field  will  be  studied  as  one  Mission. 

Natal,  just  south  of  Cape  St.  Roque,  is  the  capital  of 
the  state  of  Rio  Grande  do  Norte,  and  has  a population 
of  about  25,000.  The  church  in  this  city  was  organized 
December  3,  1896,  with  thirteen  members,  by  Mr.  W.  E. 
Entzminger,  who  at  that  time  was  in  charge  of  the  Per- 
nambuco Mission.  It  entered  upon  its’  existence  with 
every  promise  of  prosperity  and  usefulness.  Its  member- 
ship was  composed  of  some  of  the  best  families  in  the 
place.  It  began  by  defraying  its  own  expenses,  except 
salary  of  the  native  pastor,  who,  for  twenty-five  years, 
had  been  a public  school  teacher,  well  known  and  highly 
respected.  He  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  in  Pernam- 
buco, December  12th,  and  went  immediately  to  take  charge 
of  the  newly  organized  church.  For  about  two  years  it 
enjoyed  great  prosperity,  and  then  strife  arose  among 
some  of  the  members  which  greatly  retarded  the  work. 
It  has  had  a checkered  history,  a slow  but  steady  growth. 

Para.  In  1891,  Mr.  E.  A.  Nelson,  who  is  worthily  called 


36  SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 

“The  Apostle  of  the  Amazon,”  came  to  this  great  field. 
Of  Swedish  parentage,  he  came  to  America  in  1869,  and 
lived  for  a number  of  years  in  Kansas.  Coming  to  Bra- 
zil as  a self-supporting  missionary,  he  endured  trials, 
hardships  and  privations  that  would  have  daunted  a less 
faithful  and  courageous  soul.  Mrs.  Nelson,  to  whom  he 
was  engaged  when  he  left  Kansas,  went  out  to  Brazil  and 
married  him  in  1893.  They  located  in  Para,  a city  of 
150,000  inhabitants,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Amazon.  This 
is  an  important  commercial  center,  and  many  people  are 
attracted  to  it  by  its  immense  rubber  industry.  It  is  the 
key  to  the  whole  lower  Amazon.  With  a large  package 
of  Bibles,  Testaments  and  tracts  under  his  arm,  Mr.  Nel- 
son would  walk  up  and  down  the  river  bank,  speaking  to 
all  who  came.  To  sailors  from  foreign  countries,  traders 
from  the  interior,  and  to  all  he  told  the  good  news,  and 
many  were  anxious  to  obtain  the  Book  that  contained 
the  wonderful  story.  Early  in  1897,  Mr.  Ginsburg  re- 
sponded to  Mr.  Nelson’s  call  to  come  and  help  him  in 
the  reaping  time,  which  he  felt  was  just  at  hand.  On 
the  2d  of  February,  of  the  same  year,  five  candidates 
were  baptized  in  the  Amazon.  For  the  first  time  in  the 
history  of  the  world,  this'  mighty  river  was  used  for  this 
holy  purpose.  On  the  same  day  a church  was  organized 
with  ten  members,  and  Mr.  Nelson  was  elected  pastor. 
The  whole  Amazon  Valley  presented  a promising  field 
for  missionary  work.  It  was  practically  unoccupied,  and 
along  the  banks  of  its  upper  tributaries  there  were  numer- 
ous savages'  who  had  never  seen  a white  man,  much  less 
heard  the  gospel  story.  This  church,  standing  as  it  does 
at  the  entrance  of  this  mighty  valley,  has  continued  to 
grow  until  now  it  has  nearly  200  members,  and  supports 
its  own  native  pastor. 

In  1902,  Mr.  J.  E.  Hamilton  and  wife,  who  had  been 
laboring  at  Maceio,  came  to  Para,  where  he  labored  with 
marked  efficiency  until  December,  1904,  when  he  fell  a 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  37 


victim  to  yellow  fever.  In  this  short  time,  under  Mr. 
Hamilton’s  care,  the  church  almost  doubled,  both  in 
members  and  power.  Though  h^'s  missionary  career  was 
cut  short  by  death,  he  did  a work  whose  influence  will 
to  felt  for  many  years  to  come  in  this  vast  destitute  re- 
gion. On  March  5,  1905,  the  house  of  worship  which  had 
been  begun  by  Mr.  Hamilton,  was  dedicated  without  debt. 
It  was  a tender  experience  in  the  lives  of  the  members 
as  they  remembered  that  next  +o  God,  they  owed  their 
beautiful  house  to  Mr.  Hamilton  and  his  noble  wife. 

The  Amazonas  Church  was  organized  by  Mr.  Nelson, 
in  1897.  Amazonas  is  the  most  northernly  state  of  Brazil, 
lying  just  under  the  Equator.  The  majority  of  the  popu- 
lation are  Indians'  and  savages.  A young  native  brother 
who  was  supported  by  a Brazilian  Christian,  helped  Mr. 
Nelson  in  the  work  at  this  point. 

Manaus,  the  capital  of  the  state  of  Amazonas,  has  about 
60,000  inhabitants.  It  is  situated  about  a thousand  miles 
above  Para,  at  the  confluence  of  two  mighty  rivers — the 
Amazon  and  the  Rio  Negro.  This  is  about  the  center 
of  the  Amazon  Valley,  and  the  key  to  the  upper  Amazon, 
Peru  and  Bolivia.  It  has  all  the  modern  improvements, 
such  as  electric  cars  and  electric  lights.  The  city  is 
growing  rapidly,  many  people  coming  from  Europe  and 
from  the  southern  states'  of  Brazil.  In  the  summer  of 
1897,  Mr.  Nelson  spent  fifteen  days  in  this  city,  preached 
nineteen  sermons,  and  baptized  six  converts,  one  of  whom 
was  a very  intelligent  man  who  began  immediately  after 
his  baptism  to  conduct  meetings  in  his  dining-room  every 
Sunday  night,  and  who  later  became  the  treasurer  and 
deacon  of  the  church,  which  was  organized  in  1900,  in  his 
private  dwelling,  with  twenty  members.  By  December 
31st,  of  that  year,  the  church  numbered  twenty-seven. 
On  that  night  the  meeting  was  held  till  midnight,  await- 
ing the  entrance  of  New  Year.  Inviting  all  to  take  part 
in  praising  the  Savior’s  name,  a young  man  stood  up. 


38  SOUTIIERISr  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 


and  amidst  sobs,  thanked  God  for  the  forgiveness  of  his 
sins  and  for  grace  to  turn  away  from  the  worship  of  the 
saints  and  their  images.  His  heart  seemed  full  to  over- 
flowing, and  although  he  suffered  great  loss  in  his  busi- 
ness for  the  step  which  he  took,  he  persevered,  and  be- 
came a most  effective  preacher  of  the  gospel.  The  church 
continued  to  grow,  and  in  1903,  purchased  a fine  lot  and 
erected  a most  comfortable  meeting  house.  It  has  be- 
come a great  center  of  missionary  activity,  several  of 
its  members  having  become  workers  of  consecration  and 
power.  Its  present  membership  is  about  150.  It  main- 
tains a good  Sunday  school,  and  contributed  for  all  pur- 
poses in  1908,  $1.6101.  In  1903,  the  year  in  which  the  house 
was  built,  its  toal  contributions  for  all  purposes  amounted 
to  84,252. 

Periquito  and  Ajaratuba.  A fine  example  of  the  mis- 
sionary zeal  of  this  church  is  found  in  one  of  the  young 
men  of  the  church  who  went  up  the  Amazon  River  about 
a hundred  miles  and  started  a small  plantation,  chopping 
wood  and  gathering  rubber  to  support  himself,  but  his 
chief  aim  was  to  preach  the  gospel,  which  he  did  so 
effectively  that  in  three  different  places  inembeTS  were 
converted.  IMr.  Nelson  visited  these  out-stations  in  1903. 
baptized  the  converts  in  Periquito,  and  organized  them 
into  a church.  The  young  man  made  his  home  at  this 
l)lace.  and  managed  to  build  a humble  palm  leaf 
house,  constructed  as  a meeting  place  for  the  little 
church.  Going  on  twenty-five  miles  farther  up  the  niver 
to  Ajaratuba,  IMr.  Nelson  baptized  another  company  of 
believers  and  organized  a church.  Later  this  young  man 
was  ordained  at  IManaus  and  sent  back  to  take  charge 
of  his  two  churches,  which  soon  became  self-supporting. 

IMt.  Nelson  has  made  many  extensive  trips  on  the  Ama- 
zon River  and  its  large  tributaries.  In  1903.  he  made  one 
trip  into  the  Republic  of  Peru,  selling  1.200  copies  of  the 
Scriptures.  During  that  year  he  traveled  on  the  rivers 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  39 


5,700  miles,  sold  about  3,000  copies  of  the  Scriptures  and 
distributed  many  thousands  of  tracts, 

Santarem  is  a city  of  10,000  inhabitants  on  the  Ama- 
zon River,  midway  between  Para  and  Mauaus,  in  the  state 
of  Para.  In  1903  a native  worker  from  the  Manaus  church 
spent  some  time  there  preaching  the  gospel.  Mr.  Nel- 
son joined  him  and  preached  there  ten  days.  Several 


SU.N’DAY  SCIHjOL  IN  SANTAREM. 

years  before,  he  had  spent  three  months  in  this  city  sell- 
ing 800  Scriptures  and  preaching  the  gospel.  In  1904,  a 
church  was  organized  in  this  city,  which  now  has  its 
own  native  pastor  and  a good  house  of  worship,  which  was 
dedicated  in  November,  1905. 

Maranhao.  This  is  a state  twice  the  size  of  Georgia, 
bordering  on  the  northeast  coast.  In  the  capital  city 
of  the  same  name,  a church  was  organized  in  1908. 

Ceara.  Still  farther  east  is  the  great  state  of  Ceara. 


40  SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 

In  its  capital  city,  of  the  same  name,  a church  was  orga- 
nized in  1908.  Other  churches  in  this  great  field  are 
Quern  Diria,  Amama,  Castanhal,  Antaz  Miry,  Jerumenha, 
and  Mirim,  all  of  which  have  their  native  pastors.  Be- 
sides these  churches,  there  are  many  out-stations. 

As  one  comes  across  the  names  of  these  towns  in 
this  vague,  far-off  stretch  of  territory,  one  may  feel  that 
surely  this  is  in  “the  regions  beyond.”  However,  there 
are  needy  fields  still  farther  on  into  which  the  indomit- 
able Nelson  and  some  of  the  Brazilian  evangelists  have 
penetrated  with  the  gospel  message.  The  following  ex- 
tracts from  accounts  of  some  of  Mr.  Nelson’s  trips  will 
illustrate  the  pioneering  spirit  and  apostolic  zeal  of  this 
heroic  missionary: 

“In  the  month  of  January,  1904,  I made  a trip  up  the 
Madeira  River  as  far  as  Madeira  Palls.  I found  some 
good  large  towns  that  need  the  gospel.  In  at  least  three 
of  them  entrance  was  easy.  T sold  hundreds  of  Bibles, 
and  scattered  tracts  in  great  numbers.” 

On  March  5,  1903.  he  writes  from  Iquitos,  Peru,  on  the 
Amazon,  2,400  miles  above  its  mouth:  “I  left  Manaus 
February  3d,  on  an  Amazon  River  boat,  and  touched  at 
all  points  of  any  consequence.  I fiund  a number  of  towns 
of  from  200  to  600  inhabitants.  I sold  nearly  200  Bibles 
and  Testaments  on  the  way.  The  first  Peruvian  town 
on  the  Amazon  is  called  Caballococha,  and  has  about  1,000 
inhabitants,  and  the  next  is  this  place,  which  has  over 
10,000.  The  big  ocean  steamers  from  Liverpool  come  here 
twice  a month.  Smaller  boats  go  up  four  days  farther 
on  the  Amazon,  and  twenty  days  farther  on  the  Ucayali 
River,  steaming  against  the  current  until  you  come  within 
the  region  of  Norbamba.  All  through  this  region  you  find 
some  villages  of  mostly  rubber  gatherers.  Will  not  the 
Southern  Baptist  Convention  take  up  this  field  at  once? 
It  is  part  of  Peru,  and  can  only  be  worked  from  this  side 
of  the  Andes.” 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  41 


Acre.  In  still  another  direction  in  this  great  valley 
the  gospel  has  been  carried  by  a man  who  was  won  to 
Christ  in  one  of  our  churches.  The  story  of  his  career 
is  full  of  thrilling  interest.  One  of  the  most  important 
rubber  fields  is  the  Acre  territory,  in  the  extreme  western 
part  of  the  State  of  Amazonas,  adjoining  the  Republic  of 
Bolivia,  This  section  of  country  is  drained  by  the  Purus 
River,  a tributary  of  the  Amazon,  and  is  reached  by  a 
steamer  voyage  of  more  than  2 000  miles  west  of  the  City 
of  Para  at  the  mouth  of  the  Amazon.  About  four  years 
ago  Senhor  Chrispianiano,  a young  Baptist  brother,  of  the 
city  of  Bahia,  left  his  home  and  went  to  seek  his  for- 
tune in  this  far  western  district.  He  carried  his  religion 
with  him.  In  this  new  country  no  Catholic  church  had 
been  established,  nor  had  the  priests  appeared.  Our 
young  Baptist  brother  saw  the  need  and  appreciated  the 
opportunity.  With  the  courage  of  his  convictions,  he 
began  to  tell  his  fellow-workmen  about  Christ.  He  re- 
fused to  work  on  ^Sunday,  and  some  others  followed  his 
example.  On  Saturday  nights  and  Sunday  mornings  he 
gathered  great  crowds  of  men  around  him,  and  preached 
the  gospel  to  them.  He  kept  on  preaching  while  he  cut 
rubber  to  pay  his  expenses.  As  time  went  on,  the  people 
who  came  to  hear  him  preach  contributed  money,  and  a 
handsome  chapel  was  built.  In  the  spring  of  1909  he  re- 
turned to  Bahia,  a distance  of  3,700  miles,  and  was  or- 
dained to  the  ministry.  Later  he  attended  the  Brazilian 
Baptist  Convention  at  Rio,  told  the  brethren  about  his 
work,  and  received  their  pledge  of  support  through  the 
Brazilian  Home  Mission  Board.  Returning  from  Rio  to 
Bahia,  he  married  a consecrated  young  Baptist  woman, 
and  together  they  set  out  for  the  far-away  field  of  labor 
near  the  headwaters  of  the  Amazon.  Having  come  back 
to  his  work,  and  being  now  an  ordained  minister,  he  soon 
baptized  twenty-five  converts,  and  organized  a Baptist 
church.  He  is  now  preaching  to  large  congregations,  and 
the  little  church  is  prospering  under  his  ministry.  Al- 


42  SOUTHEEN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMEKICA. 


ready  he  has  opened  a second  preaching  station,  where 
enthusiastic  crowds  meet  to  hear  him  preach. 

III. 

PROGRESS  AND  EXPANSION. 

I.  AN  OPEN  DOOR  FOR  BAPTISTS  IN  BRAZIL. 

1.  The  Day  of  Opportunity.  Brazil  has  entered  upon  a 
new  era.  To  those  who  are  used  to  tracing  things  to 
their  source,  it  is  easy  to  discover  that  the  taproot  of 
Brazil’s  national  growth  strikes  down  into  the  fact  that 
during  the  two  decades  just  past  the  Word  of  God  has 
been  extensively  circulated,  and  the  gospel  widely  preached 
within  its  borders.  It  is  doubtful  whether  there  is  a 
mission  field  in  the  world  where  the  gospel  has  strucR 
more  deeply  into  the  national  conscience.  The  supreme 
vantage  ground  for  Baptists  has  ever  been  among  those 
people  who  are  in  transition  from  the  old  to  the  new, 
who  are  developing  a new  self-consciousness  and  a new 
world-conscicusness  who  are  struggling  toward  an  ideal, 
who  are  coming  into  a sense  of  individual  and  national 
independence,  and  who  are.  therefore,  acquiring  for  them- 
selves a large  capacity  for  religious  truth  unmixed  with 
error.  Just  at  this  time  Brazil  offers  such  a field  of 
opportunity.  This  opportunity  incurs  an  obligation  which 
Southern  Baptists,  through  their  representatives,  are  seek- 
ing to  discharge. 

2.  Our  Obligation  and  Advantage.  To  the  question. 
Why  send  missionaries  to  Brazil  and  other  Catholic 
countries?  no  better  answer  has  been  given  than  the 
following,  by  President  E.  M.  Poteat:  “We  send  mission- 
aries to  pagan  lands  because  there  Christ  is  not  known; 
we  send  missionaries  to  lands  under  allegiance  to  the 
Pope  of  Rome  because  there,  as  we  believe,  Christ  is  not 
truly  known.  In  pagan  lands  Christ  is  not  represented;  in 
papal  lands  Christ  is  misrepresented.  We  may  go  to 


SOUTIIEEX  BAPTIST  MI.SSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  43 


pagan  lands  as  Christians;  we  must  go  to  papal  lands  as 
Baptist  Christians.  Tn  China  we  go  to  publish  salvation:  in 
Italy  and  Brazil  and  Mexico  we  go  to  correct  the  inter- 
pretation of  a salvation  already  published.” 

Our  position  as  Baptists  makes  it  easier  for  us  to  prose- 
cute mission  work  in  Brazil  than  for  other  evangelical 
Christians.  In  this  connection,  we  ciuote  again  from  Presi- 
dent Poteat:  “Further,  we  believe  that  as  Baptists  v^e 
have  a special  call  and  mission  to  papal  lands,  becausf*- 
we  carry  none  of  the  toggery  of  Rome  among  our  old 
clothes.  We  have  never  yet  put  vhe  church  or  any  of  its 
ministrations  between  the  individual  soul  and  God,  ana 
we  do  not  carry  in  our  blood  the  taint  of  the  virus  of  sal- 
vation by  works.” 

II.  METHODS  OF  WORK. 

1.  Evangelism.  Nothing  can  take  the  place  of  preach- 
ing the  gospel,  and  so  first  attention  has  been  given  to 
evangelism.  This  has  been  carried  on  in  various  Avays 
by  the  missionaries  and  uatiAm  preachers. 

Congregational  Preaching.  The  best  results  are  ob- 
tained when  the  evangelist  can  speak  face  to  face  to  the 
people  assembled  in  a hall  or  other  auditorium.  Unless 
he  is  of  the  ruffian  ty])e.  as  scon  as  a man  enters  a 
preaching  hall,  he  feels  that  in  some  Avay  he  is  the  guest 
of  the  preacher  Avho  has  the  meeting  in  charge,  and  is 
impelled  by  the  instincts  of  courtesy  to  give  some  atten- 
tion to  what  the  speaker  is  saying,  and  so,  in  entering 
a new  toAvn,  the  missionary  seeks  as  soon  as  practicable 
to  secure  a place  into  Avhich  he  can  invite  the  people  to 
hear  his  message.  Oftentimes  a vacant  storeroom  is 
rented  or  theatre.  Sometimes  a man  friendly  dis- 
posed to  the  gospel  Avill  invite  his  friends  and  neighbors 
to  his  home,  and  then  send  for  the  missionary  to  come 
and  preach  to  them.  As  soon  as  the  interest  in  the  toAvn 
Avill  justify,  a permanent  preaching  hall  is  secured  and 
fitted  up  as  a chapel,  on  the  front  of  which  a sign  is  usu- 


44  SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 

ally  displayed,  announcing  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  at 
stated  times.  Upon  occasion  of  a visit  by  an  evangalist, 
he  usually  distributes  invitation  cards  from  house  to 
house  and  to  persons  on  the  streets,  and  so  he  gains  an 
audience.  The  missionary  ought  to  be  a good  singer, 
and  carry  a supply  of  hymn  books  to  be  distributed 
among  his  hearers,  while  asking  them  to  join  him  in  sing- 
ing the  gospel  songs.  Not  infrequently  he  carries  with  him 
a baby-organ,  which,  together  with  the  singing,  usually 
attracts'  thp  crowd,  as  Brazilians  are  fond  of  music.  After 
he  has  gotten  together  a few  hearers,  of  course,  he  pro- 
ceeds to  read  the  Scriptures  and  proclaim  the  gospel. 
This  first  religious  exercise  almost  invariably  awakens 
opposition,  which  often  develops  into  outright  persecu- 
tion, but  almost  without  exception  sofe  are  interested,  and 
as  their  interest  deepens  they  become  bold  in  taking  sides 
with  the  preacher.  The  leaven  continues  to  work,  and 
from  such  small  beginnings  many  a church  has  been  orga- 
nized. 

Itineraries.  Reference  has  already  been  made  to  the 
long  trips  made  by  the  missionaries,  either  by  boat  or 
railroad,  or  on  horseback.  By  means  of  these  journeys 
the  gospel  has  been  carried  to  many  remote  places.  Be- 
fore the  work  in  the  state  of  Espirito  Santo  was  organized 
into  a mission,  Mr.  Taylor  and  Mr.  Jackson  made  several 
trips  into  this  section  of  the  country. 

The  following  account  by  Mr.  Taylor  illustrates  the 
importance  and  the  hardships  of  such  itineraries:  “I 
have  made  three  journeys,  in  which  I spent  five  months. 
The  first  was  a long  trip  into  a distant  part  of  the  state 
of  Bahia,  where  no  missionary  had  ever  preached.  The- 
aters, town  halls,  hotels  and  private  houses'  were  freely 
opened  to  me,  and  I never  had  so  generous  a reception. 
Fourteen  hours  on  boat,  two  days  on  train,  and  400  miles 
on  horseback  made  up  the  round  trip.  The  most  prosper- 
ous of  all  was  the  visit  to  the  state  of  Espirito  Santo,  not- 


SOUTHEEN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA,  45 


withstanding  I had  some  narrow  escapes  from  danger. 
On  one  dark  night,  with  my  horse,  I fell  about  fifteen 
feet  from  a bridge,  and  received  a wound  on  my  head 
which  required  a month  to  heal.  At  another  time,  on  a 
rainy  day,  the  mule  which  I was  riding  slipped  and  to- 
gether we  rolled  down  a precipitous  hillside,  thirty-five 
feet  below,  with  two  boxes  of  Bibles.  On  this  trip  1 
preached  many  times  to  large  audiences.  Ten  years  ago 
Brother  Francisco  began  sowing  the  seed  in  this  field. 
Last  year  Brother  Jackson  baptized  seventy-six.  This  year 
three  churches  were  organized.  So  the  work  goes  on- 
ward. During  my  third  trip  one  church  was  organized, 
eight  were  baptized,  two  deacons  were  ordained,  and  a 
good  spirit  of  zeal  developed.  The  native  brethren  ac- 
companied me  in  crowds  wherever  I went,  aiding  in  the 
most  loving  and  effectual  ways.” 

Street  Preaching.  Much  street  preaching  is  done.  In 
this  way  many  people  hear  the  gospel  who  would  never 
otherwise  come  under  its  influence.  Several  years  ago  a 
Young  People’s  Society  was  organized  in  the  First  Church 
in  Bahia  the  members  of  which  did  excellent  service  in 
holding  meetings  in  the  open  air  and  at  various  out- 
stations.  The  young  ladies  assisted  in  the  singing,  while 
several  young  men  would  take  part  in  praying  and  Scrip- 
ture reading  and  preaching. 

House  to  House  Visiting.  Mr.  Taylor  tells  of  the 
Bible  campaign  which  was  made  in  Bahia  in  1908:  “In 
September  I made  a Bible  campaign  of  the  city.  Had 
five  helpers.  We  divided  the  people  into  classes,  I tak- 
ing the  governor  and  all  public  officials,  doctors  and  law- 
yers. From  quite  all  I had  good  receptions  and  oppor- 
tunity to  speak  of  Christ.  So  the  Bible  has  gone  into 
many  homes  of  this  upper  class.  One  worker  took  the 
shoemakers,  another  the  tinners,  cabinet  makers,  and  so 
on,  for  in  this  country  one  cannot  go  from  door  to  door 
with  the  Bible  as  we  do  in  the  States.  It  would  bring 


46  SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 


on  too  much  persecution.  I could  only  give  one  month 
to  this  work,  whereas  it  required  three  or  more  months 
to  make  a thorough  canvass.  The  British  and  Foreign 
Bible  Society  furnished  the  Bibles  free.” 

Colportage  and  Tract  Distribution.  This  is  one  of  the 
most  effective  and  certain  means  of  publishing  the  gos- 
pel. It  is  difficult  to  tabulate  the  results  of  this  kind 
of  work,  but  they  are  none  the  less  sure  and  abundant. 
The  report  from  one  mission  for  1903  says:  “We  sold 
and  distributed  1,535  Bibles  and  portions  and  some  15,000 
tracts  and  religious  books.”  In  the  report  of  his  work  in 
Alagoas  for  1902,  the  lamented  J.  E.  Hamilton  writes: 
“During  the  year  members  of  Maceio  Church  did  much 
colportage  work,  selling  Bibles,  Testaments,  Psalms,  Gos- 
pels, Acts  and  evangelical  books,  and  scattering  gospel 
tracts  and  our  paper — O Jornal  Baptista — -in  nearly  every 
part  of  the  state.  This  work  will  bear  fruit  for  years 
to  come.  For  their  kind  co-operation  in  the  colportage 
work,  our  thanks  are  due  to  Mr.  H.  C.  Tucker,  of  the 
American  Bible  Society,  and  Mr.  Frank  Uttley,  agent 
of  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society.”  The  following 
example,  related  by  Mr.  Nelson,  is  only  one  out  of  many. 
He  says:  “We  uecently  baptized  a Spaniard  who  had 
studied  six  years  and  a half  in  a Catholic  seminary,  and 
as  secretary  to  the  bishop  of  Manaos,  had  done  whar 
he  could  to  hinder  us,  but  a tract  and  the  Bible  did  their 
work,  and  he  is  now  selling  Bibles.” 

2.  Publications.  Though  the  lamentable  illiteracy  of 
the  people  has  long  been  the  bane  and  blight  of  Brazil, 
the  Brazilians  are  now  fast  becoming  a reading  people. 
The  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  and  the  American 
Bible  Society,  through  their  various  agencies,  have  done 
much  towards  circulating  the  Scriptures.  In  this  work 
our  own  missionaries  have  taken  an  active  part. 

Book  Stores  and  Bible  Depots.  Every  mission  has  its 
Bible  depot,  and  in  several  centers  evangelical  book  stores 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  47 


have  been  established.  The  one  in  Sao  Paulo  has  grown 
into  an  institution  of  power  and  influence.  Concerning 
this  store,  Mr.  Bagby  writes:  “This  is  one  of  our  best 
evangelical  agencies,  and  its  influence  is  felt  far  and 
wide.  It  has  given  our  cause  prestige  in  all  this  state, 
and  its  influence  reaches  nearly  all  the  siates  where  the 
gospel  is  preached.  The  Lord  gave  us  a fine  native 
brother,  who  runs  the  business.  He  is  one  of  our  best 
helpers  in  any  part  of  the  work.  This  phase  of  our  work 
is  doing  a far-reaching  business— sending  books,  tracts, 
Bibles  and  other  -religious  literature  to  all  parts  of  Brazil. 
We  receive  orders  from  the  far  north  and  far  south,  and 
send  many  pieces  of  literature  to  the  far  interior.  It 
seems  to  be  the  only  large  evangelical  book  store  in  all 
Brazil,  and  is  literally  sowing  the  seeds  of  the  kingdom 
in  all  parts  of  the  country,  bearing  constant  testimony  to 
the  truth.” 

Tracts  and  Local  Papers.  Important  and  fruitful  as  the 
work  above  described  proved  to  be.  our  missionaries  were 
not  content  merely  to  dispense  literature  through  the  book- 
stores, but  early  began  to  feel  that  something  ought  to 
be  done  to  supply  the  great  lack  of  evangelical  books 
and  distinctively  Baptist  literature  for  our  multiplying 
churches,  and,  accordingly,  in  almost  every  center,  the 
missionaries  published  large  numbers  of  tracts',  wrote  for 
local  papers  as  opportunity  was  given,  and  themselves 
published  several  small  papers,  which  proved  a most  suc- 
cessful medium  for  scattering  the  seeds  of  truth  as  well 
as  for  bringing  the  churches  into  closer  relations  with 
one  another.  Chief  among  these  little  papers  was  As 
Boas  Novas  (The  Good  News),  for  six  years  published  at 
Campos  with  Mr.  Ginsburg  as  editor.  This  little  paper 
had  an  extensive  circulation  and  accomplished  much 
good. 

O Jornal  Baptista.  Late  in  1900  several  of  the  mis- 
sionaries met  at  Rio  de  Janeiro  and  decided  that  there 


48  SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 

should  be  begun  a general  publication  work  which  would 
consist  of  tracts,  a Baptist  journal  and  a book  depart- 
ment to  supply  all  of  the  Brazilian  missions  with  Baptist 
literature.  As  a result  of  this  conference  the  first 
issue  of  the  new  paper,  entitled,  O Jornal  Baptista, 
appeared  on  .January  10,  1901.  This  journal  has  since 
that  time  filled,  in  a larger  degree,  the  place  formerly 
occupied  by  As  Boas  Novas  and  the  other  papers,  and  has 
continued  to  grow  in  popularity  and  usefulness.  It  is 
now  on  eight-page  weekly,  the  subscription  price  of  which 
is  $2.25  per  annum,  payable  in  advance.  In  1906  it  paid 
its  own  expenses  and  since  that  time  has  been  self- 
supporting.  It  has  about  2,000  regular  subscribers,  but 
many  copies  are  published  for  gratuitous  distribution.  Mr. 
Deter  tells  how,  in  1906,  he  made  a long  trip  into  the 
interior  of  the  state  of  Bahia,  where  he  learned  of  a 
farmer  who  came  into  possession  of  a copy  of  O Jornal 
Baptista,  and,  by  reading  an  article,  was  converted.  This 
man  went  far  out  to  his  home  in  the  interior  where  he 
commenced  to  preach  the  Word  of  God,  and  numbers  ot 
peoplo  were  converted.  The  fruitful  service  of  this  paper 
is  illustrated  in  another  way.  In  the  interior  of  the 
state  of  Bahia  there  was  a flourishing  little  church  which 
had  no  pastor,  and  no  one  in  its  membership  could  sup- 
ply the  lack.  A church  meeting  was  called  and  O Jor- 
nal Baptista  was  elected  pastor  until  a better  one  could 
be  secured.  On  Sunday  mornings  the  services'  were  held 
regularly,  and  not  uncommonly  consisted  of  the  reading 
of  the  contents  of  the  paper  by  one  of  the  members  to 
the  others,  who  gave  it  their  most  religious  attention. 
For  almost  a year  the  services  of  this  little  church  were 
conducted  in  this  way,  and  the  church  was  reported  as 
making  commendable  progress.  Competent  judges  among 
evangelical  Christians  other  than  Baptists  do  not  hesi- 
tate to  declare  that  O Jornal  Baptista  is  the  neatest  and 
best  printed,  as  well  as  the  most  solid  and  reliable,  of 
all  the  denominational  papers  in  Brazil. 


SOUTHERN  RAPTI8T  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  49 


Sunday  School  Literature  and  Other  Publications.  To 

meet  the  demands  of  the  growing  Sunday  schools,  it  was 
decided  to  undertake  to  prepare  a suitable  literature. 
The  result  is  that  there  is  now  published  for  adults  and 
for  children  a most  creditable  series  of  the  international 
Sunday  school  lessons.  These  lessons  have  been  pre- 
pared by  Mr.  O.  P.  Maddox,  and  are  clear,  forceful  expo- 
sitions of  the  Scriptures.  Plans  are  maturing  for  the 
publication  of  a Baptist  monthly  magazine,  with  a de- 
partment for  native  preachers.  Also  departments  for 
young  people  and  for  Mmmen.  This  will  fill  a long  and 
acutely  felt  want.  In  addition  to  these  periodicals  many 
thousands'  of  evangelistic  and  denominational  tracts  have 
been  published.  Several  Baptist  books  have  been  issued, 
and  others  are  in  process  of  preparation.  In  1907,  10  000 
copies  of  the  Brazilian  Baptist  hymn  book,  “O  Cantor 
Christao,”  were  published,  this  making  the  eleventh  edi- 
tion through  which  this  popular  hymnal  has  passed  dur- 
ing fifteen  years.  Mr.  Ginsbnrg  revised  and  enlarged 
this  hymn  book,  adding  over  fifty  new  hymns  to  it.  many 
of  them  his  own  composition.  It  is  considered  one  of 
the  best,  if,  indeed,  not  the  best,  hymn  book  in  the 
Portuguese  language. 

The  Publishing  House.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  with- 
in less  than  ten  years  a large  evangelical  publishing  in- 
terest has  been  built  up  in  the  city  of  Rio  de  .Janeiro. 
Under  the  management  of  Mr.  Entzminger  this  interest 
has  rapidly  developed,  and  our  publishing  plant,  valued 
at  more  than  $8,000,  is  one  of  the  strongest  assets  of  the 
Baptist  cause  in  Brazil.  A great  need  is  for  a business 
manager  for  this  growing  enterprise,  a consecrated  Bap- 
tist layman  who  is  full  of  the  missionary  spirit,  and 
who  is  willing  to  dedicate  his  life  to  the  building  up  of 
this  great  gospel  agency  in  Brazil.  If  such  a man  could 
be  secured,  Mr.  Entzminger  would  be  relieved  of  a great 


50 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 


deal  of  the  detail  work,  and  would  be  able  to  exercise 
his  marked  editorial  and  literary  abilities  more  effect- 
ually. 

3.  Education.  The  fact  that  only  16  per  cent,  of  the 
population  in  Brazil  know  how  to  read  and  write,  shows 
that  the  education  of  the  people  has  been  sadly  neglected. 
While  there  is  a public  school  system,  whose  efficiency 
is  increasing,  there  is  still  a special  opportunity  for  the 
mission  to  render  a most  telling  service. 

(1)  Primary  Schools.  In  connection  with  our  various 
missions  there  are  about  twenty-five  schools  of  primary 
grade,  with  an  enrollment  of  nearly  1,000  pupils.  Free 
tuition  is  not  held  out  as  an  inducement,  though  occa- 
sional concessions  are  made  to  the  children  of  very  poor 
Christians.  As  a rule,  the.  schools  are  self-supporting. 
Every  mission  sustains  several  of  the  primary  schools. 
The  wuves  of  some  of  the  missionaries  have  done  excel- 
lent service  in  starting  such  schools,  and  even  w'hen  not 
able  themselves  to  teach  classes,  have  exercised  a help- 
ful oversight  over  them. 

In  1896,  Misses  Stegner  and  Wilcox  w^ent  to  Brazil 
from  the  United  States,  hoping  to  conduct  a self-sup- 
porting school,  and  still  have  time  for  other  missionary 
vmrk.  After  staying  a year  in  Nova  Friburgo,  they 
moved  to  Bello  Horizonte,  the  new^  capital  of  the  state 
of  Minas  Geraes.  Here,  at  her  own  expense.  Miss  Wil- 
cox erected  a home  and  a school  building.  In  1898,  these 
ladies  received  an  appointment  from  the  Board,  and  for 
some  time  continued  their  school  work  in  Bello  Hori- 
zonte. Later  they  removed  to  Sao  Paulo,  where  they 
assisted  in  the  organizing  of  that  Mission,  and  for  some 
time  conducted  a small  school  for  girls. 

Two  pioneers  in  this  field  are  Mrs.  W.  B.  Bagby  and 
Mrs.  Z.  C.  Taylor.  They  began  their  school  work  in  a 
day  wdien  Christian  education  was  not  popular  in  Brazil, 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  5l 


but  they  have  proved  the  wisdom  of  their  undertaking, 
and  have  strengthened  the  sentiment  in  favor  of  mission 
schools. 

(2)  Sdiools  of  Higher  Grade.  Besides  the  primary 
schools  there  are  several  boarding  schools  of  higher  grade. 
Tt  is  a part  of  the  educational  program  of  the  Baptists  of 
Brazil  to  have  at  least  one  of  these  high  grade  schools 
in  each  mission.  Only  three  of  these  schools  are  men- 
tioned. 

The  Girls’  School  in  Bahia.  Several  years  ago  a mem- 
ber of  the  Bahia  Church,  a rich  coffee  planter,  proposed 
to  Mrs.  Taylor  that  she  should  open  a school.  He  and 
some  other  members  made  liberal  contributions  to  its 
equipment,  and  some  rooms  in  the  old  Inquisition  Build- 
ing were  fitted  up  with  modern  furniture,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1898  the  school  was  formally  opened.  Many 
of  the  best  people  of  the  city  and  prominent  educators 
were  present.  The  governor  sent  a band  of  twenty-five 
musicians,  and  the  address  was  delivered  by  the  leader 
of  the  house  of  representatives  of  the  state  of  Bahia. 
The  school  opened  in  May  of  that  year  with  eleven 
IHipils,  and  closed  in  December  with  seventy.  In  1908,  it 
had  a total  enrollment  of  150.  In  1900,  Miss  Alyne 
Goolsby,  an  experienced  teacher  in  the  mission  schools 
in  this  country,  joined  the  Mission,  and  for  about  seven 
years  taught  with  great  success  in  the  school.  Mis.s 
Genevieve  Voorheis,  besides  her  many  other  duties  in 
the  Bahia  Mission,  at  present  has  charge  of  the  primary 
department. 

Girls’  School  in  Sao  Paulo.  In  1902,  ]\Irs.  \V.  B.  Bagby 
opened  a school  for  girls  in  Sao  Paulo.  It  has  con- 
stantly grown  in  favor  with  the  people.  Many  of  the 
students  come  from  the  best  families  of  the  city.  Many 
parents,  who  are  ardent  Catholics,  prefer  this  school  to 
others.  However,  they  know  that  it  is  an  evangelical 
school,  in  which  the  Bible  and  Christian  hymns  are 


52  SOtTTHEKN  i?APTlST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 

taught  each  day.  By  means  of  the  teaching  here  given, 
the  gospel  is  planted  in  many  young  hearts  which  will 
spring  up  and  produce  abundant  harvest  in  the  future. 
Some  of  the  best  members  of  our  Sao  Paulo  Church  wer« 
first  brought  in  touch  with  the  gospel  through  the  influ- 
ence of  the  school.  For  1908,  the  enrollment  reached 
165,  and  others  were  turned  away  for  lack  of  accommcda- 
tion.  The  boarding  department,  under  the  direction  of 
Miss  Annie  Thomas,  is  proving  a great  success.  The 
great  need  is  for  more  room  and  better  equipment. 

Boys'  School  in  Pernambuco.  A school  for  boys  was 
begun  in  Pernambuco  in  1905,  by  Mr.  W.  H.  Cannada. 
Mr.  H.  H.  Muirhead  is  the  present  director,  and  the 
enrollment  reached  seventy  last  year.  In  his  report, 
Mr.  Muirhead  says:  “We  cannot  over-emphasize  the  im- 
portance of  our  schools  as  evangelistic  agencies.  Our 
students  come  from  the  leading  homes  of  the  state. 
These  homes,  the  most  of  which  are  closed  to  the  evan- 
gelist, are  open  to  the  missionary  teacher.  Already  we 
are  beginning  to  see  isome  results.  During  the  year 
several  of  the  students  were  baptized,  and  whole  families 
were  led  to  attend  the  church  through  the  influence  of  the 
pupils.  Our  schools  are  rapidly  breaking  down  the  preju- 
dice against  the  ‘new  sect,’  and  are  inaKing  persecution 
practically  impossible.” 

(3)  The  College  and  Seminary  in  Rio  de  Janeiro.  Train- 
ing a native  ministry  is  possibly  the  most  urgent  need 
of  our  Brazilian  churches.  As  the  churches  increase  and 
new  fields  open,  the  demands  grow  for  well  equipped 
pastors  and  evangelists,  hnese  demands  cannot  be  met 
by  the  foreign  missionaries.  The  greater  part  of  the 
work  must  be  done  by  the  natives,  and,  in  order  to  do 
the  best  work,  they  must  be  educated.  Already  we  have 
thirty  ordained  native  preachers,  and  about  the  same 
number  of  unordained  helpers.  In  Sao  Paulo,  Campos, 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  53 

Rio  de  Janeiio,  Pernambuco  and  INTaceio,  and  at  several 
points  in  the  Amazon  Valley,  attention  has  been  given  by 
the  missionaries  to  the  training  of  native  preachers  for 
the  pastoral  office  and  the  work  of  evangelism. 

In  1906,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  W.  Shepard  arrived  in  Per- 
nambuco to  devote  themselves  to  school  work.  Mr. 
Shepard’s  main  purpose  in  going  to  Brazil  was  to  give 
himself  to  the  training  of  the  native  preachers.  At 
the  first  meeting  of  the  Brazilian  Baptist  Convention, 
which  was  held  in  June,  1907,  plans  were  laid  for  the 
establishment  of  a college  and  seminary  in  Rio  de  Ja- 
neiro, with  Mr.  Shepard  as  director.  Soon  thereafter, 
Mr.  Shepard  removed  from  Pernambuco  to  Rio  de  Ja- 
neiro, and  began  the  plan  for  opening  this  school.  The 
old  college  building  of  Emperor  Dom  Pedro  II.  was  se- 
cured, this  being  one  of  the  most  commodious  build- 
ings to  be  found  in  the  city.  On  March  4,  1908,  the 
school  was  opened,  and  by  the  end  of  the  year  the  en- 
rollment had  reached  fifty-six.  Of  this  number  six  were 
ministerial  students.  The  primary  aim  of  this  institu- 
tion is  to  train  young  men  called  of  God  to  preach,  but 
at  the  same  time  it  offers  the  best  possible  advantages 
to  those  who  wish  to  prepare  themselves  for  service  in 
other  walks  of  life.  It  is  confidently  expected  that  this 
institution  will  become  one  of  the  greatest  agencies  for 
spreading  the  gospel.  In  1909,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  B.  Lang- 
ston were  appointed  to  the  Rio  Mission.  Mr.  Langston 
had  made  special  preparation  for  educational  work,  and 
came  to  the  mission  to  unite  with  Mr.  Shepard  in  the 
work  of  the  seminary. 

III.  DENOMINATIONAL  LIFE. 

Already  it  may  be  said  that  the  Baptist  cause  is  so  far 
established  in  Brazil  as  to  be  a force  and  a fact  felt 
and  recognized  throughout  the  country.  While  the 


54  SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 

great  mass  of  the  population  is  yet  practically  untouched 
by  our  propaganda,  at  the  same  time  the  Brazilians 
know  that  the  Baptists  are  among  them  and  doing  busi- 
ness. 

1.  Resume  of  Results.  Starting  at  Santos  and  follow- 
ing the  coast  northward  to  Para,  thence  up  the  Amazon 
River  and  the  Purus  River  into  the  Acre  District,  we 
have  a line  of  missions  extending  more  than  five  thou- 
sand miles.  Our  missionaries  have  preached  the  gospel 
in  nineteen  of  the  twenty  states  of  the  republic,  and 
not  more  than  three  states  remain  which  have  no  Ban 
tist  church.  The  latest  reports  from  the  fields  show  that 
we  have  now  121  churches,  over  6,000  members,  225 
out-stations  and  forty-one  houses’  of  worship.  Last  year 
1,249  baptisms  were  reported.  There  are  130  Sunday 
schools  with  more  than  8,000  scholars.  These  facts  show 
that  we  are  successfully  planting  the  gospel  in  this  land 
and  furnish  confirmation  of  our  conviction  of  a special 
call  and  mission  to  Brazil. 

2.  Self-Support.  An  aim  steadily  kept  in  view  by  our 
missionaries  has  been  to  so  train  and  develop  the 
churches  that  at  the  earliest  possible  moment  they  shall 
become  self-supporting,  self-governing,  and  self-propagat- 
ing. In  1902,  one  of  the  missionaries  said  in  his  report: 
“All  the  churches  are  working  away  and  tugging  at 
self-support.  They  err  and  stumble,  and  often  fall,  but 
they  manage  to  get  along,  and  this  is  the  only  way  to 
independence.  The  natives  will  not  take  hold  as  long 
as  the  foreigner  wishes  to  manage  their  affairs.  It  is 
inspiring  to  see  some  of  the  churches  taking  hold  and 
and  keeping  house  for  the  Lord.  It  is  the  day  of  small 
things  for  them,  but  they  will  be  all  the  better  and 
stronger  for  it.  Then  it  gives  so  much  more  time  to  the 
missionary  to  evangelize.” 

This  plan  has  been  followed  in  every  mission  with 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  55 


the  result  that  about  three-foiirths  of  the  churches  are 
now  under  the  care  of  native  pastors,  whose  salaries 
are  paid  in  whole  or  in  part  by  the  churches.  In  the 
summer  of  1904,  Mr.  Z.  C.  Taylor,  writing  from  Bahia, 
says:  “In  May  I took  a trip  250  miles  southwest  of  Bahia 
to  Conquista,  where  Brother  Quiroz,  in  the  last  four 
or  five  years  has  raised  up  a church  of  150  members. 
Saturday  at  11  o’clock  we  arrived  at  Conquista,  Brother 
Quiros  av^aiting  us.  Next  day  we  had  worship  in  the 
new  temple  they  had  erected.”  Continuing,  he  says,  “I 
now  understand  why  God  never  permitted  me.  to  visit 
Conquista  during  these  five  years.  I believe  it  was  for 
the  purpose  of  showing  me  that  the  native  Christians 
can  and  Mill  take  care  of  themselves  and  the  gospel 
if  we  will  only  confide  in  them,  and  not  try  to  govern 
them.  I wonder  how  many  churches  in  the  United  States 
have  built  their  own  house  and  pastorium  and  sustained 
their  pastor  from  the  start?  Not  a cent  from  the 
Board  has  ever  been  spent  on  Conquista  church  and  its 
pastor.” 

Instances  might  be  multiplied  illustrating  the  progress 
which  the  churches  are  making  toward  self-support  and 
independence.  Last  year  the  total  contributions  to  all 
objects,  including  the  gifts  of  the  missionaries,  amounted 
to  about  $21,000. 

3.  Organization.  Among  the  churches  there  is  a grow- 
ing desire  for  union  and  co-cperation.  They  feel  that 
there  is  a mighty  work  for  them  to  do  and  that  it  can 
best  be  accomplished  by  organized  and  mutual  effort. 

Associations.  The  churches  in  nearly  every  mission 
have  organized  themselves  into  what  would  be  known 
among  us  as  a district  association.  These  association 
do  much  to  foster  the  spirit  of  brotherhood  and  co-op 
eration  and  to  advance  evangelism  in  destitute  sections. 
Some  of  the  annual  meetings  of  these  associations  are 
seasons  of  great  spiritual  power. 


56  SOT'THERX  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 

Brazilian  Baptist  Convention.  In  June,  1907,  the  Bra- 
zilian Baptist  Convention  was  organized  in  Bahia.  All 
the  male  missionaries  and  all  the  lady  missionaries  hut 
five  were  present,  together  with  a goodly  number  of  na- 
tive pastors  and  other  workers.  The  meetings  of  this 
first  session  were  attended  not  only  by  the  Baptists  of 
Bahia,  but  by  others.  The  papers  of  the  city  pub- 
lished daily  accounts  of  the  proceedings.  The  constitu- 
tion of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention,  with  some  mod- 
ifications made  to  suit  the  genius  of  a “new  cause  in  a 
new  land,”  was  adopted.  At  one  of  the  sessions  in  which 
the  beginnings'  of  the  work  in  Brazil  were  discussed,  a 
large  portrait  of  Gen.  A.  T.  Hawthorne  was  unveiled 

in  recognition  of  him  as  the  founder  of  the  Brazilian 

Mission.  Each  succeeding  annual  meeting  of  the  Con- 
vention marks  new  growth  and  interest,  and  is  more 
largely  attended  every  year. 

Denominational  Boards.  At  the  first  session  of  the 
Convention  five  denominational  boards  were  appointed,  as 
follows:  A Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  a Board  of  Home 
Mission,  an  Educational  Board,  and  a Sunday  School 
Publication  Board  and  a Board  of  Directors  for 

the  Baptist  Roung  People’s  Unions.  These  several 

boards  have  already  done  noble  and  notable  ser- 

vice in  “eliciting,  combining  and  directing”  the  enthusi- 
asm, interest  and  liberality  of  the  churches,  and  in 

increasing  measure  they  are  carrying  on  the  work  which 
has  been  entrusted  to  them.  Besides  appointing  and 

supporting  native  missionaries  for  destitute  fields,  the 
Board  of  Home  Missions  is  also  endeavoring  to  aid  and 
bring  into  co-operation  a number  of  Russian  and  Ger- 
man Baptist  churches  in  the  extreme  southern  states  of 
Rio  Grande  do  Sul,  Parana  and  Santa  v^atharina.  Al- 

ready the  Board  of  Foreign  ^Missions  has  opened  missions 
in  two  foreign  countries — Chile  and  Portugal.  Mr.  W. 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 


B.  Bagby,  at  the  request  of  800  Baptists'  in  Chile  was 
sent  to  that  country  and  assisted  in  organizing  these 
Chilean  Baptists  into  churches  and  an  association. 
Through  this  Board  the  churches  of  Brazil  are  paying 
the  salary  of  a missionary  in  Chile.  This  Board  also 
defrayed  the  expenses  of  Mr.  Z.  C.  Taylor  to  Portugal, 
where  he  opened  a mission  and  organized  a church  in 
the  city  of  Oporto.  The  pastor  of  this  church  is  a Por- 
tuguese who  was  baptized  years  before  by  Mr.  Bagby. 
Thus  the  work  grows  and  spreads  and  the  Baptists  in 
Brazil  bid  fair  to  become  a great  force  in  the  mighty 
task  of  evangelizing  the  world. 


ARGENTINA. 

I.  PREPARATION 

1.  The  First  Step.  Following  a recommendation  made 
by  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention  in  1903,  “To  care- 
fully consider  the  possibility  of 
opening  new  fields  for  missionary 
effort,”  the  Foreign  Board  de- 
cided in  June,  1903,  to  open  a 
mission  in  Argentina  and  Mr.  S. 
M.  Sowell  was  appointed  as  a mis- 
sionary to  that  field.  Sailing  from 
New  York  September  23rd,  Mr. 
Sowell  arrived  in  Buenos  Aires, 
November  30th. 

2.  The  Force.  In  December  of 
of  the  same  year,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
.1.  D.  Hart  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  K.  W.  Cawthorn  were  ap- 
pointed and  joined  the  Mission  early  in  1904,  but  in  1907 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cawthorn  returned  to  this  country  on  ac- 
count of  the  ill  health  of  the  latter.  In  October,  1904, 
the  Mission  was  reinforced  by  the  coming  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  F.  J.  Fowler,  and  again  in  April,  1905,  by  the  ar- 
rival of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  Spight.  In  1908,  Mr.  and 
i\Trs.  J.  M.  Justice  and  Mr.  and  INIrs.  J.  C.  Quarles  were 
appointed  by  the  Board  and  joined  the  Mission.  On  March 
20,  1906,  Mr.  S.  M.  Sowell  and  i\Iiss  Ermine  Bagby  were 
married.  Miss  Bagby  is  the  daughter  of  ]\Ir.  W.  B.  Bag- 
by of  Sao  Paulo,  Brazil,  and  had  previously  been  ap- 
pointed by  the  Board  to  that  Mission.  In  1909,  Mr.  Rob- 
ert Logan  and  wife,  who  had  previously  been  working 


S.  M.  SOWELl  . 


iOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  59 


with  the  Christian  Alliance,  upon  the  earnest  recom- 
mendation of  oiir  missionaries,  were  appointed  by  the 
Board.  At  present  the  Mission  has  fourteen  members 
and  six  native  helpers. 

3.  A Noble  Forerunner.  Twenty-seven  years  ago,  i\lr. 
Paul  Besson,  a native  of  Switzerland,  a man  of  cul- 
ture, conviction  and  deep  spirituality,  came  to  Argentina 
and  succeeded  in  building  up  a Baptist  church  composed 
principally  of  converts  from  among  his  own  people.  This 
Baptist  preacher  and  his  church  soon  found  themselves 
confronting  grave  difficulties  because  of  the  restrictions 
under  which  they  had  to  live  and  do  their  work. 
Through  many  successive  efforts  and  by  various  means 
Mr.  Besson  made  known  his  principals  and  position  as 
a Baptist.  He  encountered  fierce  opposition  from  the 
Catholic  priests  and  other  sources,  but,  nothing  daunted, 
he  persevered  and  finally  secured  absolute  religious  lib- 
erty, not  only  for  himself  and  his  own  jieople,  but  for 
all  others  in  Argentina.  In  his  long  conflict  he  repeat- 
edly appeared  in  the  halls  of  the  National  Congress  to 
explain  his  position  and  demand  bis  rights  as  a citizen. 
The  agitation  became  widespread.  The  columns  of  La  Pren- 
sa,  the  largest  and  most  influential  newspaper  in  South 
America,  were  opened  to  him.  Through  a long  series  of 
articles  he  made  known  to  the  Argentine  public  the  great 
doctrine  of  soul  liberty  and  separation  of  church  and  state. 
Thus  at  the  pen  point,  wielded  by  a Baptist  preacher,  a 
great  victory  w^as  won,  a great  privilege  was  ^vrested  from 
the  church  of  Rome,  and  “an  act  of  justice  \vas  done  to  those 
within  whom  conscience  was  a burning  fire.”  Thus  this 
brave  and  noble  man  paved  the  way  for  the  work  of  our 
missionaries  in  Buenos  Aires  and  throughout  the  re- 
public. Upon  their  arrival  in  the  country,  he  gave  them 
a cordial  welcome  and  has,  in  many  ways,  encouraged 
and  assisted  them  in  their  work. 


60  SOUTHERN  baptist  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 

II.  THE  FIELD  ENTERED. 

Work  has  been  opened  in  the  three  largest  cities  in 
the  republic,  Buenos  Aires,  Rosario,  and  Santa  Fe.  Be- 
sides these  there  are  various  out-stations  and  the  mis- 
sionaries have  made  prospective  tours  and  preached  in 
a number  of  other  towns  and  cities. 

1.  Buenos  Aires.  Buenos  Aires,  the  capital  and  larg- 
est city,  is  the  greatest  metropolis  of  the  southern  hem- 
isphere. In  fourteen  years,  its  population  has  doubled.  At 
present  it  has  about  1,300,000  and  is  increasing  at  the 
rate  of  100,000  annually.  It  contains  one-fifth  of  the  en- 
the  population  of  the  republic  and  controls  the  country 
as  possibly  no  other  capital  in  the  world  does  the  land 
it  is  supposed  to  dominate.  Being  the  center  of  a network 
of  more  than  12,000  miles  of  railroad,  it  is  the  great 
gateway  of  the  nation  and  the  radiating  point  for  influ 
ential  movements  throughout  the  entire  La  Plata  country. 
In  propotion  to  population.  Argentina  is  the  largest 
exporting  country  in  the  world,  while,  according  to  its 
area,  it  is  receiving  the  largest  per  cent,  of  European 
immigration  of  any  country  in  the  two  Americas.  Sooner 
or  later,  almost  everybody  in  this  part  of  the  world  goes  to 
Buenos  Aires.  Any  movement,  therefore,  which  wins  vic- 
tory in  this  center,  will  make  itself  felt  to  the  farthest 
borders  of  the  republic  and  far  beyond.  These  condi- 
tions make  Buenos  Aires  one  of  the  greatest  mission 
fields  of  the  world.  Here  we  have  two  well  established 
churches. 

Constitucion,  Our  church  at  this  place  was  organized 
with  eight  charter  members  April  2,  190.5.  It  takes  its 
name  from  the  Plaza  Constitucion,  a large  square  on 
which  the  preaching  hall  is  located.  This  is  one  of  the 
most  populous  centers  of  the  city,  being  situated  near  the 
great  Southern  Railway  station,  so  that  many  in  going 
to  and  from  the  station  enter  the  hall,  hear  a hymn  or  a 
portion  of  the  sermon,  and  as  they  pass  out  are  given 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  61 


a tract.  In  this  way  the  gospel  message  is  often  sent  far 
into  the  interior.  The  work  at  this  point  is  at  present 
under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Spight  and  has  made  steady 
progress  from  the  beginning.  The  church  has  about 
seventy-five  members  and  reported  twenty  baptisms 
for  the  last  year.  Mr.  C.  J.  Ewald,  one  of  the  Y. 
M.  C.  A.  secretaries  in  the  city,  and  Mr.  F.  S.  Battley, 
a New  Zealand  Baptist,  have  rendered  valuable  aid,  both 
in  contributing  of  their  means  to  support  the  work  and 
in  assisting  in  the  services  and  the  Sunday  school.  Some 
of  the  native  members  are  proving  to  be  most  efRcient 
teachers  in  the  Sunday  school,  which  is  maintainea 
throughout  the  year.  A young  Englishman  baptized  last 
year,  has  been  instrumental  in  bringing  a large  native 
family  to  accept  the  gospel.  At  present  he  is  in  the 
Ignited  States,  preparing  for  the  ministry.  This  church 
maintains  an  out-station  in  a very  thickly  populated  dis- 
trict known  as  the  Boca,  where  large  audiences  hear 
the  gospel  and  where  there  have  been  several  con- 
versions. 

Once.  This  church  was  organized  in  November,  1906. 
It  derives  its  name.  Once  (eleven)  from  its'  location  on 
the  square  called  “The  Eleventh  of  September  ” this  date 
being  the  birthday  of  the  great  President  Sarmiento. 
who  began  life  as  a school  teacher,  and.  as  President, 
led  in  establishing  the  very  efficient  public  school  sys- 
tem of  Argentina.  Mr.  Sowell  is  pastor  of  this  church 
Its  present  membership  is  about  forty,  and  it  maintains 
a good  Sunday  school,  also  an  out-station,  where  the 
pastor  preaches  regularly  every  week. 

2.  Rosario. — This  city  is  situated  on  the  Parana  River 
225  miles  above  Buenos  Aires.  It  has  a population  of 
200,000  and  has  been  called  the  new  Chicago  of  the  S'^’’+b. 

First  Church. — The  work  here  was  begun  by  Mr.  Hart 
and  Mr.  Sowell  and  the  church  was  organized  with  five 
charter  members  in  1905.  The  progress  of  this  church 
has  been  most  gratifying  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Hart. 


62  SOUTHEEN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 

He  has  had  a valuable  co-laborer  in  Mr.  R.  S.  HosfoTd, 
a Baptist  from  Ireland,  and  a successful  business 
man.  Two  valuable  native  workers,  Senor  Maximino 
Fernandez  and  Senor  Juan  Varetto,  have  rendered 
large  service  to  the  cause  in  this  city.  The  former 
is  spoken  of  by  the  missionaries  as  a “tower  of  strength 
and  steadfastness,”  and  the  latter  as  “an  eloquent  preach- 
er.” In  1907  the  church  and  its  friends  bought  a lot 
and  built  our  first  chapel  in  the  Argentine  Mission  at 
a cost  to  them  of  $4,000.  A large  part  of  the  money  was 
solicited  by  Mr.  Hosford. 

Second  Church.  In  1908  a Second  Church  was  organ- 
ized by  members  from  the  First  Church  in  one  of  the 
best  districts  of  the  city  and  immediately  called  Senor 
Varetto  to  its  pastorate.  Both  of  the  Rosario  churches 
have  good  Sunday  schools  and  each  maintains  two  out- 
stations. 

3.  Santa  Fe.  This  is  one  of  the  principal  centers  of 
Jesuit  influence  and  power  and  has  been  considered  one 
of  the  most  difficult  fields  for  evangelistic  work.  In  Jan- 
uary, 1906,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fowler  moved  from  Buenos  Aires 
to  Santa  Fe,  but,  owing  to  the  difficulties  of  getting  set- 
tled and  equipping  a suitable  hall,  did  not  begin  work 
until  the  first  of  April. 

First  Church.  The  First  Church  of  Santa  Pe  was 
organized  February  18,  1907.  Its  membership  has  reached 
above  forty.  A good  Sunday  school  is  maintained,  also 
a Young  People’s  Union.  Mr.  Fowler,  assisted  by  his 
native  helper,  Senor  Alfonso  Yebra,  holds  regular  ser- 
vices in  two  outside  towns.  Its  out-stations  are  supported 
by  members  of  the  church,  wffio  stand  faithfully  by  the 
work. 

Second  Church.  A second  church  has  been  organized 
and  has  now  a membership  of  thirty-five.  Senor  Oster- 
man,  an  old  French  brother,  who  was  baptized  by  Mr. 
Besson  a number  of  years  ago,  is  the  pastor  and  is  doing 
faithful  work. 


SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  MISSIONS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA.  68 


III.  EVIDENCE  OF  PROGRESS. 

1.  Results.  Though  it  has  been  only  about  six  years 
since  this  Mission  was  established,  it  now  numbers  six 
churches,  with  nearly  300  members,  and  about  ten  out- 
stations,  at  most  of  which  it  is  hoped  to  organize 
churches  in  the  near  future. 

2.  Self  Support.  One  of  the  most  hopeful  signs  is  the 
rapid  progress  made  by  the  churches  towards  self  sup- 
port. Last  year  the  average  contribution  per  member 
was  a little  more  than  ten  dollars.  One  house  of  wor- 
ship has  been  built  and  paid  for,  and  already  plans  are 
maturing  for  the  erection  of  other  houses.  The  mission- 
aries are  aided  by  six  native  preachers,  some  of  them 
men  of  unusual  ability.  In  the  training  classes,  taught 
by  the  missionaries  and  their  wives,  have  been  developed 
some  most  excellent  Sunday  school  teachers.  Many  of 
the  members  see  and  accept  their  obligation  to  do  what 
they  can  to  give  the  gospel  to  their  fellow-countrymen. 

3.  Publications.  A most  effective  means  for  publishing 
the  gospel  has  been  the  printing  plant  at  Rosario.  Be- 
sides printing  and  distributing  many  leaflets  and  thou- 
sands of  pages  of  tracts,  literature  for  the  Sunday  schools 
has  also  been  prepared  and  published.  There  has  been 
begun  also  the  publication  of  Expositor  Bautista,  a lit- 
tle Baptist  paper  which  has  already  met  with  the  hearti- 
est acceptance,  and  which  bids  fair  to  be  a most  useful 
agency  in  the  future. 

4.  The  Argentine  Baptist  Convention.  On  December 
31,  1908,  representatives  from  the  churches  met  in  Rosa- 
rio and  organized  the  Argentine  Baptist  Convention.  Mr. 
Spight  was  elected  president  and  Senor  Yebra,  secretary. 
Of  course,  this  was  a small  beginning,  but  it  will  mean 
much  for  the  organized  life  of  the  denomination.  The 
Convention  assumed  control  of  the  publishing  plant  and 
also  expressed  a deep  interest  in  the  mission  work  in 
Chile,  and  have  begun  to  show  that  interest  by  helping 
in  a financial  way. 


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